MHC shuts down classes to get ready for new public health orders

By COLLIN GALLANT on September 17, 2021.

cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant

Medicine Hat College cancelled classes through the weekend on Thursday after being faced with a slate of new health rules included in a public emergency order from the province the night before.

A releases stated the institution is “working through the protocols and seeking additional direction for post-secondary education. However, it is clear that we must increase efforts to provide a safe campus environment.”

Beyond clarity in the sweeping and complicated order, both online and in-person classes were cancelled to give staff and instructors time to adjust to new operating models.

Universities, colleges and trade schools in Lethbridge, Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer and Lloydminster also said they would reopen Monday under new operational rules after cancelling instruction for the remainder of the week.

In late August MHC made mask-wearing mandatory in common spaces and elsewhere indoors that made social distancing impractical at its Medicine Hat and Brooks campuses.

Last week they announced with nine other universities and colleges in the province that they would make double vaccination status a requirement to attend campus in person with some exceptions. The details of that measure are to be worked out and begin in January 2022.

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