Articles by author: Brock University

• Brock prepared as province-wide lockdown is announced

  Monday, December 21, 2020 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: 21 December 2020 – R0191

  Further steps to limit the spread of COVID-19 were announced by the Ontario government on Monday, Dec. 21 with a provincewide lockdown coming later this week.

  Effective Saturday, Dec. 26, the Niagara region will join the rest of the province in moving into a lockdown under Ontario’s COVID-19 response framework. This will be effective for at least 28 days until Friday, Jan. 22.

  Brock University had previously announced it was moving into Stage 2 of its own Stages of Response and Recovery plan effective at 12:01 a.m. Monday to align with the government moving Niagara region into the Red (Control) classification.

  With Niagara being moved into the lockdown classification, Brock will move into its Stage 1 effective Thursday, Dec. 24 at noon. This will further impact a number of areas as the University modifies its operations to abide by public health guidelines. These include:

  • All classes will move online, with the exception of a small number of programs allowed under the provincial framework. This exception will primarily affect Brock’s Nursing program, though other affected programs may be communicated to students by Deans. As a result, most Brock students will begin the Winter Term online and remain online-only until further notice.
  • For those students who had on-campus classes on their timetable in the Winter Term, instructors will be in touch to provide further information.
  • Indoor social gatherings are not permitted, and outdoor social gatherings are limited to 10 people, provided physical distancing can be maintained. All meeting and event spaces are closed.
  • Food service at Guernsey Market will now be takeout only. Indoor dining is suspended until further notice.
  • University residences will continue to operate as planned, with the current mitigation measures such as significantly reduced occupancy and the no guest policy continuing.
  • Further, residence students must leave by noon the day following their last exam, or by noon Wednesday, Dec 23, whichever comes first, and may return after noon on Sunday, Jan. 3.
  • The James A. Gibson Library is only open for contactless curbside delivery and pickup. Study space is closed.
  • The Computer Commons is closed.
  • The Campus Store is open for online sales only with shipping available.
  • All sports and recreation facilities are closed.
  • Only time-sensitive research will be permitted. For the latest guidance on research access and the impact moving to Grey will have, please visit the Brock Coronavirus FAQ for research.

  As announced by the provincial government Monday, the lockdown will remain in effect until at least Friday, Jan. 22. With Brock’s Winter Term classes starting on Monday, Jan. 11, updates will be provided on changes as virtually all classes will begin the Term online and remain there until further notice.

  Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to monitor their email, brocku.ca and Brock social media accounts for further updates on Niagara’s designation and any impact it may have on Brock.

  For more information about Brock’s COVID-19 measures, please visit brocku.ca/coronavirus

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

   * Dan Dakin, Manager Communications and Media Relations, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca or 905-347-1970

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  Categories: Media releases

• Changes to Brock pandemic measures as Niagara moves to Red

  Friday, December 18, 2020 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: 18 December 2020 – R0190

  The Ontario government announced on Friday, Dec. 18 that Niagara region is being moved into the Red (Control) category of the province’s COVID-19 response framework, due to Niagara’s increasing number of infections. The change is effective at 12:01 a.m. Monday, Dec. 21.

  Ontario uses a region’s COVID infection rate to set its classification, which dictates the level of restrictions to be imposed. The rankings are updated weekly. Red is the most limiting category before a complete lockdown is ordered by the province under the Grey (Lockdown) category.

  Brock University has been working under a modified operational plan since March, with reduced on-campus activity in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The move to Red aligns with Stage 2 in Brock’s Stages of Response and Recovery.

  While the move to Red will not affect Brock’s current delivery of on-campus and online classes, other activities will need to be modified to abide by public health guidelines. These include:

  • Social gathering limits are reduced to a maximum of five people indoors and 25 people outdoors, where physical distancing can be maintained.
  • Meeting/event spaces (those that have been authorized) will have a maximum occupancy of 10 indoors and 25 outdoors.
  • Food service at Guernsey Market will now be takeout only. Indoor dining is suspended until further notice.
  • University residences will continue to operate as planned with the current mitigation measures such as significantly reduced occupancy and no guest policy continuing.
  • The operation of the James A. Gibson Library remains the same; however, bookable study space available to students will now be subject to a maximum occupancy of 10 at a time.
  • The Campus Store remains operational with access through one of the three approved University entrances.
  • The Computer Commons remains open; however, it will now be subject to a maximum occupancy of 10 students at a time.
  • Limits around the number of students allowed in classrooms remains unchanged from the previous Orange restriction level.
  • For the latest guidance on research access and the impact moving to Red will have, please visit the Brock Coronavirus FAQ for research.

  Impact on Brock Sports and Recreation:

  • Team sports must not be practised or played, with the exception of training sessions for members of a sports team that do not include games or scrimmages.
  • Activities that are likely to result in individuals coming within two metres of each other must not be practised or played.
  • Locker rooms, change rooms, showers and clubhouses must be closed, except to the extent that they provide access to equipment storage, a washroom or a portion of the facility that is used to provide first aid.
  • The total number of people permitted to be at the facility in all classes, organized programs or organized activities at any one time must be limited to the number that can maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from others at the facility, and in any event cannot exceed 10 people.
  • In areas containing weights or exercise machines, physical distancing of three metres is required.

  While Niagara is moving into the Red (Control) category, the situation is fluid and may change over the holidays. With the Winter Term classes starting on Monday, Jan. 11, updates will be provided if there are any changes.

  Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to monitor their email, brocku.ca and Brock social media accounts for updates on Niagara’s designation and any impact it may have on Brock University.

  For more information about Brock’s COVID-19 measures, please visit brocku.ca/coronavirus

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

  * Dan Dakin, Manager Communications and Media Relations, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca or 905-347-1970

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  Categories: Media releases