College will continue on as is with health measures

By KENDALL KING, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on February 10, 2022.

kking@medicinehatnews.com

Medicine Hat College will continue to uphold public health measures until further directive is provided by the government, a statement from the college confirmed Wednesday.

“We were considered what’s called an out-of-scope operator and therefore have a set of restrictions similar to, but it’s a separate health order than the Restrictions Exemption Program,” Mark Keller, MHC executive director of advancement and community relations, told the News. “Until (out-of-scope directives) are provided, we are operating under the same conditions we were yesterday and the day before. It’s simply because we do not have the sector-specific guidance which will fully inform us what the intended next steps are for the post-secondary sector”

Until government directives are provided mandatory masking will remain in place in all MHC facilities and anyone accessing the facilities will be required to show either proof of vaccination, a negative privately-paid for rapid test or a valid medical exemption.

Officials at the college are preparing as best they can for future changes, Keller said. He thanks students, faculty, staff and the public for their patience and understanding.

“We have ongoing discussions about what we think the implications of various changes might be and how we need to sustain operations,” said Keller. “Throughout the pandemic we’ve been striving to minimize risk to students, faculty, staff and the broader community, while we sustain access to learning.

“What we will do is keep that principle at the top of our mind as the new guidance comes down and we will adapt as best we can to … operate effectively for the students and operate within the guidance we’re expected to from the government.”

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