During Stage One, measures were constantly evaluated in order to prepare for Stage Two.

UPEI’s Stage Two reflects the next step in expanding the gradual return to working, teaching, learning, and conducting research on campus. Major changes for Stage Two include increasing the gathering size limit, and broadening the scope of who is able to be on campus. The University continues to introduce additional measures, when necessary, to ensure the health and safety of those on campus.

During Stage Two, we will continue to follow public health guidance, including maintaining physical distancing of 2m/6ft.

During Stage Two, UPEI has increased the allowable gathering size to 15 people indoors and 20 people outdoors (from five people), while observing physical distancing of 2m/6ft. Gatherings refer to internal meetings not UPEI-organized events, which remain cancelled until at least July 31, 2020.

During Stage Two, more employees will be on campus. Employees who have an individual office space will be allowed to work on campus. Individuals who share a workspace can work on campus if physical distancing is maintained. Supervisors will employ tactics such as scheduling shifts (one day on campus, one day off or half-day on campus, half day working from home), if necessary, in order to reduce overall numbers on floors, in buildings, and on campus at any one time. Individuals can continue to work from home if approved by their supervisors.

During Stage Two, more students will be on campus. The Faculty of Nursing will continue to offer small-group teaching to students prior to their clinical practice. Fourth-year students at the Atlantic Veterinary College will begin in-person clinical rotations on July 6. (Students coming from out-of-province will need to self-isolate for 14 days).

During Stage Two, the general operating hours for campus will be expanded to 8 am–5 pm.

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

Working on Campus

During Stage Two, members of UPEI’s management team will expand the number of people returning to work on campus and determine their schedules.

• Employees who have an individual office space will be allowed to work on campus.
• Individuals who share a workspace can work on campus if physical distancing (2m/6ft) can be maintained.
• Supervisors will determine what individuals are required to work on campus in order to perform certain functions during Stage Two. (This will be expanded again in Stage Three.)
• Supervisors will employ tactics such as scheduling shifts (one day on campus, one day off, or half-day on campus, half day working from home), if necessary, in order to reduce overall numbers on floors, in buildings, and on campus at any one time.
• Individuals may continue to work from home if approved by their supervisors.
• All individuals working prior to 8:00 am or after 5:00 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 working on campus in their area confirm that they have read and understand all aspects and each stage of UPEI’s Operational Ease-Back Plan. This can be done either by email or in writing

Research

During Stage Two, faculty, researchers, and graduate students will be able to conduct research on-campus and in the field. Undergraduate honours students will also be able to conduct research on-campus or in the field, with the permission of their Honours Supervisors.

• Deans and Chairs will continue to 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 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 students must maintain physical distancing (2 m/6 ft) when possible. When physical distancing cannot be practiced during an activity/experiment in the lab or in the field, a mask must be worn for the entirety of the activity. If a lab exhausts its mask supply, or does not have one, lab supervisors should contact Health, Safety, and Environment at HSE@upei.ca
• Whenever possible, all graduate and undergraduate honours students should work remotely (i.e., from home) to enable physical distancing. Such activities as statistical analyses, computer simulations, and writing, should be conducted remotely. If these types of activities must take place on-campus, they can only proceed when absolutely necessary and when this activity has been included in your laboratory supervisor’s "Return to Laboratory Work Plan".
• All individuals conducting research prior to 8:00 am or after 5:00 pm must have approval from their supervisor, and notify Security Services in advance. If research is being conducted in the evening, individuals must notify Security Services at their time of departure.
• Supervisors must have individuals conducting research in their area confirm that they have read and understand all aspects and each stage of UPEI’s Operational Ease-Back Plan. This can be done either by email or in writing.

Students

During Stage Two, more students in certain programs will be on campus.

• The Faculty of Nursing will continue to offer small-group teaching to students prior to their clinical practice.
• Fourth-year students at the Atlantic Veterinary College will begin in-person clinical rotations on July 6. (Students coming from out-of-province will need to self-isolate for 14 days).
• In addition to graduate students, undergraduate honours students will now be able to conduct research on-campus or in the field, with the permission of their Honours Supervisors.
• Instructors must have students confirm that they have read and understand all aspects and each stage of UPEI’s Operational Ease-Back Plan. This can be done either by email or in writing.

Essential Services

UPEI acknowledges those employees who have provided and continue to provide essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic. During Stage Two, 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 and each stage of UPEI’s Operational Ease-Back Plan. This can be done either by email or in writing.

Expanded On-Campus Services

During Stage Two, on-campus services in some areas have been expanded.

• The Robertson Library will begin offering a pick-up service for faculty, staff, and students. While the Library is physically closed for in-person access, it continues to offer a number of online services.
• The UPEI Bookstore will re-open to the public on Monday, June 15 at 9 am, in keeping with public health guidance. The hours of operation will be Monday to Friday, 9 am–12pm, and 1–3 pm*. For additional information, visit the UPEI Bookstore on Instagram (UPEI_Bookstore), Twitter (@UPEIBookstore), or Facebook. To speak with a staff member at the store email bookstore@upei.ca or phone 902-566-0625.

*hours of operation subject to change

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 have posted 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; getting on elevators; or standing in bottle-neck areas, colleagues are asked to respect each other and maintain physical distancing (2m/6ft) at all times.
• In future stages, Facilities Management and Health, Safety, and Environment will post signs, directional arrows, and decals marking 2m/6ft distances to assist with traffic flow while physically distancing in high-traffic/gathering areas. If your area needs to be marked during Stage Two, please use green painter’s tape only to avoid damaging surfaces. Painter’s tape can be obtained from Facilities Management at the Central Utility Building. If you have any questions around traffic flow in your area and/or building, contact Health, Safety, and Environment at HSE@upei.ca.
• Aside from those providing essential services, if anyone has a vital reason to stay on-campus outside the campus operating hours of 8 am–5 pm, Security Services must be advised in advance so that they are aware of building occupants. Individuals who are on campus in the evening must notify Security Services at their time of departure.

Health and Safety Guidance

• Facilities Management will provide enhanced cleaning to high-traffic areas; common spaces; and frequent touch points such as stair rails, entrance/exit door handles, and elevator buttons.
• Staff, faculty, researchers, and 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 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 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 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, or students have arrived on PEI from outside the province, they must self-isolate for 14 days. Exemptions from self-isolation may apply to essential health care providers, but this must be approved by their supervisors.
• In situations where physical distancing (2m/6ft) cannot be practiced, then a mask must be worn.

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.