COVID-19 Resources
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Regina along with partner institutions and in consultation with public health and Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer, has consistently worked to safeguard students, faculty, and staff. On April 22, 2020 the Government of Saskatchewan introduced the province to the phased Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan. This plan is built on a methodical and phased-in approach to slowly and responsibly lift restrictions on businesses and services. These activities will be thoroughly assessed under the guidance of the Saskatchewan Health Authority and other governing bodies.
It is important that we continue to promote working remotely where possible, practice physical distancing and provide safe working conditions. While on campus, safe work practices will be strongly recommended including wearing a mask, consistent hand washing, increased cleaning and disinfecting protocols, physical distancing (minimum 2 metres), participation in U of R educational platforms pertaining to COVID-19, self-screening, and self-isolation, if signs of illness occur.
Homewood Health - COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy: Separating the Facts from Fake News
Rumors about the safety of COVID-19 vaccines have been circulating on social media for months and with the AstraZeneca vaccine recently making headlines over potential risks, public anxiety about receiving COVID-19 vaccines—or vaccine hesitancy—has been expressed. It’s understandable that you may be wary of receiving one of the vaccines approved by Health Canada. It has been a year filled with rapid change, fear, uncertainty, grief and loss. We’ve been inundated with information about COVID-19 and our lives have been impacted in so many ways. The speed at which COVID-19 vaccines were developed may be causing apprehension that vaccine development was rushed and safety may have been compromised. These worries, added to our already overloaded brains, can create skepticism which may affect your decision about receiving a vaccine.
These concerns are natural. However, it is important to look to the science and facts, rather than to follow gossip and “fake news” on social media. The risk of serious illness or death from COVID-19 far outweighs risks from vaccines. Across the globe, over 476 million people have received at least one dose of a vaccine. At the time that this article was written, no deaths in Canada have been linked to vaccines, while nearly 23,000 Canadians have lost their lives to COVID-19.
The article provided here presents facts about COVID-19 vaccine development, safety surrounding the vaccines, and potential side effects.
Staying Up to Date On Vaccine Eligibility and Access
The University of Regina's goal for a carefully planned reopening of campus in Fall 2021 is rooted on the ability to keep everyone safe. Vaccines are an important part of that.
Students, faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to receive the first vaccine as soon as it becomes available to them. We would also like to remind faculty and staff that Special Leave Vaccination entitles employees to three consecutive hours leave during work hours to receive their immunization. Please coordinate your absence for vaccination with your immediate supervisor/manager.
With access to vaccines becoming more widespread and, in fact, changing every day, it is not always easy to stay up to date on the latest vaccine information. For that reason, we recommend you check the two sites provided below on a regular basis:
- Government of Saskatchewan - COVID-19 Vaccine Information [click here]
- Saskatchewan Health Authority - Vaccine Drive-Thru and Walk-In Wait Times [click here]
Together, these sites provide the most up-to-date information on age eligibility, on-line appointment booking, and drive-thru and walk-in vaccination clinic locations across Saskatchewan each day.
Thank you for your continued efforts to keep our University community safe -- now and in the upcoming terms!
Returning to Campus E-Training Module for Students, Faculty, Staff and Visitors During Covid-19
The online e-training provided here is for all students, faculty, staff and visitors at any University of Regina campus. This training with help you understand the hazards and risks of COVID-19 and the current U of R safety guidelines in place to minimize your exposure.
COVID-19 Illness Flowchart for Faculty, Staff and Students
Members of our campus community who wish to visit any University campus and are experiencing COVID-19 like symptoms, may use the flowchart provided here as a guide to the appropriate UofR reporting procedures and public health resources.
Ill Person Response Questionnaire
HSW has developed the Ill Person Response Questionnaire for supervisors and instructors and is available here. Supervisors and instructors are asked to use this form to collect basic background information when an employee or student reports to you they are ill with COVID-19 like symptoms. Please note employees and students are not required to provide this information; however, they are encouraged to do so as it is designed to help them and/or others access additional resources should they need them.
Online Table Top Fire Drills
This training will maintain efficient fire safety practices on campus and ensure you know how to evacuate your building safely in the event of an emergency.
COVID-19 Campus Advisories
Information about on-campus COVID-19 confirmed cases, potential exposures, and outbreaks available here.
Faculty, Department and Business Unit Risk Assessment
The Faculty, Department and Business Unit Risk Assessment provided here is intended for academic, administrative, and supporting business units to identify risk and implement controls to minimize the potential exposure to COVID-19 while resuming normal campus function. This risk assessment should be completed by the Dean/Manager/Director prior to returning to campus.
NOTE: Any changes and/or new hazards/risks identified within your faculty/business unit/department after submitting your risk assessment will be the responsibility of the unit to modify operations as it expands with the proper COVID prevention measures.
Masking Guidance
UR Face Masks - Guidelines
(377 KB)Effective Tuesday, September 1, 2020, faculty, staff, students, and visitors, including vendors and contractors, are required to wear an appropriate face mask in all indoor areas of campus facilities including classrooms, common areas, libraries, hallways, stairwells, elevators, and study/work areas. Face masks are also required in outdoor campus areas where physical distancing is not possible.
The above resource will provide guidance on when masking is appropriate, how to don and doff safely, and frequently asked mask questions. For a web-version of the masking guidance, please click here.
Mask Donning and Doffing Instruction Card
Faculty/Business Unit/Department managers and supervisors who wish to purchase business card size copies of the mask donning and doffing information below (2 sided), please email health.safety@uregina.ca with the following:
2) Number of cards requested
3) FOAPAL to charge
Cards are available in multiples of 100 and are priced as follows: 100 - $21.89, 200 - $32.89, 300 - $45.17 (plus GST).
Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to save a digital version (here) of the mask donning and doffing information to their electronic device as a reference when needed.
Research Resources
Research Safety - COVID-19 Guide (854 KB)Self-Monitoring
All members of the campus community are encouraged to self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms. Keep up to date with the latest symptom information from the Public Health Agency of Canada's COVID-19 page. To organize your self-monitoring, consider a using a daily symptom tracker or personal checklist.
A printable copy of a self-monitoring checklist can be found here (94.8 KB). The Government of Canada has a Canada COVID-19 App and Self-Assessment Tool to support you to track your symptoms, receive the latest updates, and access trusted resources. This app 
is available on-line or from the App store.
Working Remotely and Virtual Ergonomics
Whether working in your office or at home, proper ergonomics is important for the prevention of musculoskeletal injury. Health, Safety & Wellness is pleased to offer the following tools and assessment options in order to provide you with optimal comfort and support while working remotely. Your office furniture and/or computer equipment on campus may be moved to your home. If you require assistance with transporting any office furniture or computer equipment from your office to your home, please call Work Control at 306-585-4039 or email at work.control@uregina.ca. If you require additional ergonomic items that you do not have such as computers, sit/stand desks, keyboard trays etc., you will require a virtual ergonomic assessment.
If you would like assistance in assessing your ergonomics at home, please contact Health, Safety & Wellness at 306-337-2370 or email us at health.safety@uregina.ca. We will email you a Workstation Virtual Ergonomics: Self-Assessment Checklist for you to complete. When you have completed the Self-Assessment, please email it back to Health, Safety & Wellness, and our Healthy Workplace Advisor will review your self-assessment and, if needed, contact you for a virtual assessment.
All recommendations made by the Healthy Workplace Advisor will be emailed to you and your immediate supervisor for consideration. Any equipment purchases that need to be made will be the responsibility of your faculty/unit.
Mental Wellness Support
The current COVID-19 pandemic is a source of anxiety for people across the country and your colleagues, friends or family may reach out to you for support. How should you respond? The Mental Health Commission of Canada offers active listening tips here (88 KB) to navigate these sensitive conversations with more confidence.
The University of Regina recognizes that during this time of change many may feel uncertainty and fear along with an array of other emotions. There may be concerns that affect your decisions about how to best manage your health and the health of those around you. In an effort to support you, we have put together a list of coping strategies and support resources to manage stress and anxiety admist COVID-19 below:
> Read Now - Cultivating Resilience in the wake of COVID-19
- If you have questions about the content of these documents contact Health.Safety@uregina.ca.
- For information on the Phased Return to Research Plan, visit the University of Regina Research Office page.
- For more COVID-19 related information, please visit the University of Regina website