A message from Janice Ristock, Provost and Vice-President (Academic), on new UM health and safety measures 

The Province of Manitoba has announced that the entire province is moving to the critical/red level on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System, effective Thursday, November 12. In addition, new pandemic restrictions have been added to the critical/red level for Winnipeg. These new measures are being put in place to reduce close contacts among Manitobans and help stop the growing community transmission of COVID-19. 

The health and safety of the UM community continues to be our top priority, as well as students’ ability to complete their approved in-person activities, and faculty members’ ability to conduct essential research.

At UM, most in-person teaching activities will continue. Instructors will communicate directly with their students to advise them of any changes to planned in-person activities.

In response to and in accordance with the new Provincial restrictions, the following new UM health and safety measures are effective Thursday, November 12:

ON-campus activities:

• The wearing of 3-ply, disposable masks is mandatory on all UM campuses for all academic and research activities. Masks will be distributed in the situations for which they are required; a mask should be worn at all times on UM grounds. Further, unit supervisors will communicate directly with employees regarding the need for these masks to be worn, and will provide these masks if required.
• All work that may done remotely must be done remotely.
• Employees accessing UM campus(es) must be reduced as much as possible – only essential activities should take place on campus.
• Employees accessing UM campus(es) to be reduced to a maximum of 20 per cent.
• Individuals are encouraged to limit their time on campus(es) as much as possible.
• Cancellation or postponement of all in-person discretionary activities (either being contemplated or previously approved) until at least January 2021.
• Closure of all but absolutely essential common spaces and lunch spaces; all other UM spaces will be closed. A reduced number of study spaces will remain open.
• Eye-protection (shields or goggles) are recommended for all laboratory work or in situations in which 2-metre physical distancing is not possible.
• All UM sport and recreation facilities will be closed.
• The University Centre Pharmacy and the Fort Garry Bookstore will be reduced to 25% of normal capacity.

Research:

• Suspension of all research involving human participants. 

If you have any questions:

• Students: Updated information will be posted on the UM COVID-19 webpage: umanitoba.ca/coronavirus/students and Vice-Provost (Students) Ms. Laurie Schnarr will send a message to students.
• Faculty and staff:  Contact your dean or supervisor.

For more information visit the UM COVID-19 webpage: umanitoba.ca/coronavirus

Stay safe and be well.