Hello,
The COVID-19 virus is a concern for all Canadians. The current risk level in Alberta remains low, and by being careful and following hygiene protocols closely, we can all help to keep it that way. At MH Vicars School and Public Clinic, we’re monitoring the situation closely, and we wanted to update you all on the school’s current strategies to minimize the risk of illness and transmission within our community.

Hygiene
Using and teaching good hygiene practices has always been a high priority at the school. COVID-19 is spread through respiratory droplets, just like the flu and the common cold. We encourage all of our students, staff, and clients to be even more careful and vigilant than usual when it comes to personal hygiene:
  • Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently with soap and water. If soap and water aren’t available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. 
  • Avoid touching your face, especially your mouth, nose, and eyes.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or your elbow (not your hands), and then wash your hands.
  • Refrain from shaking hands and other unnecessary physical contact.
  • If a clinic client is exhibiting symptoms of a respiratory infection or another communicable illness when they come for your appointment, let your supervisor know. They will ask them to leave and reschedule their appointment.
Your instructors and supervisors may have more information and instructions for how to handle specific circumstances in clinic or in the classroom.

Campus cleaning
Under normal circumstances, our campuses are professionally cleaned several times a week. In addition to this regular work and the cleaning and disinfecting tasks that students already perform during clinic, we have introduced even more stringent cleaning and disinfecting protocols on both campuses.
  • Students are reminded to clean their treatment area and massage supplies before and after each client. Students will also disinfect high-traffic surfaces between clients and after each clinic shift. A full checklist of the disinfection protocol is posted on campus.
  • Students and faculty will clean/disinfect high-traffic surfaces in their classrooms at the end of each class day.
  • Cleaning and disinfecting supplies have been restocked and will be available on both campuses. Signs have been posted as a reminder for students and staff to ensure that these cleaning protocols are followed.

Schedules and attendance
Your health and safety – and that of your clients is our primary concern.
For the moment, we aren’t making any changes to class or clinic schedules. We will also continue to track attendance as normal.
Our policy has always been to ask students who are sick to stay home. Do not attend class or clinic if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or any other communicable illness. Please also stay home if recommended to do so by Alberta Health Services (such as self-isolation based on travel or if you have other health concerns).
If you’re sick or required to self-isolate, please take the usual steps to find a replacement therapist for clinic shifts, and contact the school. Accommodations for absences related to COVID-19 will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.

Keeping our communities safe and healthy is a shared responsibility. By following the steps outlined above, and continuing to monitor the information provided by Health Canada and Alberta Health Services, we hope that we can all help protect each other from this illness. We will keep you updated as the situation evolves.
Best,
The MH Vicars School Team