Dear colleagues,
Yesterday, Québec’s Minister of Health asked everyone living in Québec to stay home unless going to work or school. At the moment, the coronavirus is primarily being spread through private gatherings and social activities where people are not respecting physical distancing rules and are not wearing masks.
I know all of us have found the last six months stressful, and new restrictions on socializing will be tough. Remember that staff have access to the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) for free and confidential short-term counselling and referral services. It is always okay to reach out for help.
We have received more information from the public health authorities in Montréal and have updated the Coronavirus Information website. Here is what’s new:
- The list of possible symptoms of COVID-19 has been updated. The screening questions that people must answer before they come to work or enter a McGill building have changed, both on the website and in the Minerva COVID-19 daily health check form for Staff.
- Montréal public health is categorizing people who have had contact with someone who has tested positive into three levels of risk: low-risk contacts, medium-risk contacts and high-risk contacts. Learn more here.
- A new webpage provides information on exactly what to do if you have symptoms, think you may have been exposed, have travelled recently, or have tested positive.
New limits on athletics facilities
We learned yesterday that the Ministry of Education is implementing a cap of 25 people for athletic practices and individual sports at universities. This limit also applies to the fitness centre. Information will be posted on the McGill Athletics site as it becomes available.
Stay safe. Stay well.
Sincerely,
Fabrice Labeau
Deputy Provost, Student Life and Learning