UPEI’s Stage One reflects the initial step in a gradual return to working, teaching, learning, and conducting research on campus.

Throughout Stage One, we will follow public health guidance, including limiting gathering size, employing physical distancing, and having individuals continue to work and conduct research from home whenever possible.

UPEI will also introduce additional measures, where necessary, to ensure the health and safety of those on campus. For example, during the entirety of Stage One, UPEI will limit gathering size to five (5) people, while observing physical distancing of 2m/6ft. 

Advancing to Stage Two and Stage Three of the plan will entirely depend on how we respond to Stage One measures. We can all play a part in our ease-back plan’s success.

Essential Services

UPEI acknowledges those employees who have provided and continue to provide essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic. While May 25 signals a return to campus by management and others, essential services will continue to be provided.

• Employees providing essential services will continue to work according to the schedule assigned by their supervisor.
• Supervisors in essential service areas will need to continue to advise Security Services and Health, Safety, and Environment of any personnel or operational changes. 
• The Atlantic Veterinary College Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Diagnostic Services, Animal Resources, and Central Services will continue to provide essential services and will develop plans in relation to external clients as required.
• Supervisors must have individuals in their area confirm that they have read and understand all aspects of UPEI’s Operational Ease-Back Plan. This can be done either by email or in writing.

Management and Key Individuals

During Stage One, members of UPEI’s management team will return to campus in order to prepare and plan for the next stages of UPEI’s Operational Ease-Back Plan—Planning the Way Forward.

• Key individuals may be asked by their supervisors to work on campus to perform certain functions deemed necessary during Stage One. (This will be expanded in Stage Two.)
• Supervisors will determine who will return and when. 
• Supervisors will work with employees to determine whether they report to campus during the morning (9:00 am–12:00 pm) or afternoon (1:00–4:00 pm). This measure is to limit the number of employees at any one time on-campus.
• All individuals working prior to 9:00 am or after 4:00 pm must have approval from their supervisor, and notify Security Services in advance. If work is being performed in the evening, individuals must notify Security Services at their time of departure.
• Supervisors must have individuals in their area confirm that they have read and understand all aspects of UPEI’s Operational Ease-Back Plan. This can be done either by email or in writing.

Research

During Stage One, faculty, researchers, and graduate students will be able to conduct research on-campus and in the field, but are encouraged to do so from home when possible.

• Deans and Chairs will establish the occupancy of labs to ensure physical distancing guidelines are met by reviewing individual Return to Laboratory Work Plans submitted by laboratory supervisors. The Deans will submit this information to the Vice-President Academic and Research, who in turn will submit them to Facilities Management and Health, Safety and Environment for approval.
• Facilities Management and Health, Safety and Environment will arrange to post occupancy limits on lab doors.
• Labs must continue to comply with UPEI safety policies and protocols including the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). 
• Whether in a university lab or in the research field, faculty, researchers, and graduate students must maintain physical distancing (2 m/6 ft) when possible. 
• Supervisors must have individuals in their area confirm that they have read and understand all aspects of UPEI’s Operational Ease-Back Plan. This can be done either by email or in writing.

Security Guidance

• Campus buildings, with the exception of the W.A. Murphy Student Centre, will remain locked. Staff, faculty, researchers, and graduate students are to enter buildings using their Salto proximity card, one at a time, to maintain physically distancing (2m/6ft). 
• Security Services and Health, Safety, and Environment will post signs on exterior doors of buildings indicating whether they are entrances or exits, in order to help with traffic flow while physically distancing (2m/6ft). For those with mobility issues, please use accessible entrances/exits as required.
• When entering/exiting buildings; walking down corridors and/or stairwells; or getting on elevators, colleagues are asked to respect each other and maintain physical distancing (2m/6ft) at all times.
• If anyone has a vital reason to stay on-campus outside their scheduled hours, Security Services must be advised so that they are aware of building occupants. 

Health and Safety Guidance

• Facilities Management will provide enhanced cleaning to high traffic areas. 
• Staff, faculty, researchers, and graduate students are instructed to do the following:
  • wash your hands with soap and water frequently, and use hand sanitizer when soap and water is not available
  • cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue,
  • if you have symptoms of COVID-19, stay home and,
  • avoid contact with people who are sick
• Symptoms of COVID-19 include:
  • cough (new or exacerbated chronic)
  • headache
  • fever/chills
  • sore throat
  • marked fatigue
  • sneezing
  • congestion
  • body aches
  • runny nose
• Staff, faculty, researchers, and graduate students who develop symptoms of COVID-19 on campus must immediately perform hand hygiene, report to their supervisor, avoid contact with others, and leave campus as soon as it is safe to do so. 
• Staff, faculty, researchers, and graduate students who feel unwell, think they may have been exposed to COVID-19, and/or develop COVID-19 symptoms should call 8-1-1. 
• Symptomatic staff, faculty, researchers, and graduate students will be required to self-isolate until tested for COVID-19 and the results are confirmed.
• If an individual’s test results are negative for COVID-19, but they remain ill and/or symptomatic, they should remain at home.
• If staff, faculty, researchers, and graduate students have travelled outside the province, upon their return, they must stay home and self-isolate for 14 days. Exemptions from self-isolation may apply to essential health care providers, but this must be approved by their supervisors. 
• Working and conducting research from home will continue to be encouraged when possible. Supervisors will work with their employees to determine arrangements. For information and updates on how to work remotely visit myupei.ca.

If you have questions about UPEI's Operational Ease-Back Plan—Planning the Way Forward, please email communications@upei.ca or read the COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions page.