Message for the NAC Community Regarding COVID-19 cases in

Publication: Internal Communications Date: April 20, 2021

Dear NAC Community,

As announced on April 19th, 2021 by the Government of , due to the COVID-19 cases identified in Kinngait, all non-essential businesses, and government offices must close. To view the official Government of Nunavut announcement, click here: https://gov.nu.ca/health/news/two-covid- 19-confirmed-cases-kinngait

To prevent the spread of COVID19, facilities in Kinngait move to Stage 4/Code Red. remains in Stage 4/Code Red.

NAC facilities in the move to Stage 3/Code Orange and NAC facilities in remain at Stage 2 / Yellow with added mandatory use of facemasks.

Plans for graduation in Iqaluit are being discussed and will be communicated with the graduates once the plans are approved by the CPHO.

What does this mean for Nunavut Arctic College?

NAC facilities in Kinngait and Iqaluit: o Kinngait and Iqaluit are now in Stage 4/Code Red of its Opening Plan. These facilities are closed with access restricted to essential workers only. Use of masks mandatory while in the facilities. o Programs are delivered via remote learning, where applicable. o Students are encouraged to stay in touch with their instructors for further updates. o The residence building in Iqaluit remains open to students who reside in the accommodations and essential staff only. Visitors are not allowed at this time. The cafeteria inside Iqaluit’s residence building will remain open for students only. o Students in NAC accommodations are recommended to stay in their residences versus travelling home at this time.

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STAGE 4 – CODE RED – IQALUIT/KINNGAIT

Health and Safety • All non-critical services are closed • Mandatory use of facemask • Reopening will be determined by the NAC Senior Management Team in consultation with the Minister responsible for NAC and the Chief Public Health Officer

Classes • Switch to remote delivery or temporary suspension, depending on each program.

Campuses • Open to essential staff only • Mandatory use of facemask • No student or public access

Community Learning • Open to essential staff only Centres • Mandatory use of facemask • No student or public access

Student • Open to students who reside in the accommodations and essential Accommodations staff only. • No access to the general public. • Cafeteria in Residence in Iqaluit open to students who reside at residence only.

Libraries and Computer • Closed Labs

Research Facilities • No public access. • Open to essential staff only • Mandatory use of facemask

Cafeterias • Campus cafeteria closed. • Cafeteria in residence in Iqaluit open to students who reside at residence only.

NAC facilities in the Qikiqtaaluk Region (other than Iqaluit and Kinngait):

o NAC facilities in the Qikiqtaaluk Region (other than Iqaluit and Kinngait) move to Stage 3/Code Orange. o Community Learning Centres are restricted to NAC Staff/Faculty and Students. o In-person classes in controlled cohorts, respecting physical distance, and use of facemasks is mandatory. o Attendance flexible depending on mandatory self-isolation.

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STAGE 3 – CODE ORANGE– QIKIQTAALUK REGION CLCs (Other than Iqaluit and Kinngait)

Health and Safety • Physical distancing of students following the direction from the Chief Medical Health Officer • Mask use mandatory • Limited gatherings subject to enacted public health orders for students, staff and faculty • No group activities • Identified contacts within the school community will have to stay home and isolate for 14 days Classes • In-person classes • Controlled cohorts: Students will have a designated classroom and seating for all classes. Mandatory use of masks. • Seating distance in classrooms will be determined by recommendations made by the CPHO • Attendance flexible depending on mandatory self-isolation Community • Access restricted to students and staff. No public access. Learning Centres

NAC facilities in Rankin Inlet: o NAC facilities in Rankin Inlet remain at Stage 2/Code Yellow with added mandatory use of face masks. o In-person classes in controlled cohorts, respecting physical distance, and use of facemasks is mandatory. o Attendance flexible depending on mandatory self-isolation. o Access to NAC Facilities in Rankin Inlet is restricted to NAC Staff, Faculty, and Students. Visitors must have an appointment in order to visit NAC facilities.

STAGE 2 – CODE YELLOW – RANKIN INLET Health and Safety • Students must follow physical distancing • Mask use is mandatory • Gatherings subject to enacted public health orders • Limited group activities for students, staff and faculty • Identified contacts within the school community will have to stay home and isolate for 14 days

Classes • In-person classes • Controlled cohorts: Students will have a designated classroom and seating for all classes. Mandatory use of masks. • Seating distance in classrooms will be determined by recommendations made by the CPHO • Attendance flexible depending on mandatory self-isolation

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(STAGE 2 – CODE YELLOW – RANKIN INLET CONTINUED)

Campus • Open to students and staff • Open to visitors (with appointment only)

Student • Open to students, staff, and close family Accommodations • *No public access (*Updated from original reopening plan upon risk evaluation) Libraries and • Open to students and staff Computer Labs • Open to visitors (with appointment only) • Strict use: Research and program-related tasks • Must follow the Lab COVID-19 Guidelines

Difference between SELF ISOLATION, SELF MONITOR, and ISOLATION

Self-Monitor Self-Isolation Isolation Self-monitoring means to Self-isolation means to stay at Isolation means to stay at home monitor yourself for 14 days for home and monitor yourself for until your healthcare provider one or more symptoms of symptoms, even if mild, for 14 advises you that you are no COVID-19. You can go about your days and avoid contact with longer at risk of spreading the day but avoid crowded places other people to help prevent the virus to others. Avoid contact and increase your personal space spread of disease in your home with other people to help from others, whenever possible. and in your community in the prevent the spread of disease in event you become symptomatic. your home and in your community, particularly people at high risk of severe illness outcomes such as older adults or medically vulnerable people.

You need to self-monitor if: You need to self-isolate if: You need to isolate if: • You have reason to believe • You have arrived from travel • You have been diagnosed you have been exposed to a outside of Nunavut OR with COVID-19 OR person with COVID-19 OR • Your healthcare provider has • You are waiting to hear the • You are in close contact identified you as a close results of a laboratory test with older adults or contact of someone for COVID-19 OR medically vulnerable people diagnosed with COVID-19. • You have been advised to OR Contact health center or isolate at home for any • You have been advised to nurse hotline regarding next other reason by your self-monitor for any other steps. healthcare provider. reason by your health care provider.

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If you develop symptoms, isolate If you develop symptoms, even if If your symptoms get worse, yourself from others mild, stay home, avoid other immediately contact your immediately and contact your people and contact your health healthcare provider or public health centre or public health as centre or public health as soon health and follow their soon as possible. as possible. instructions.

Call the COVID hotline if you feel unwell or believe you may have been exposed to COVID-19 at 1- 888-975-8601 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. EST.

If you require NAC IT Support contact: [email protected] or by phone at 1-867-222- 2083.

Take care, be safe, and know the NAC community supports you. Senior Management Nunavut Arctic College ### Media Contact: Mariana Barney Manager, Marketing, Communications and Student Recruitment 867-979-7242 [email protected]

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