Coronavirus (COVID-19)

StFX officials continue to closely monitor developments related to the spread of COVID-19 and adapt and evolve our response strategies as necessary. 

• Please be advised that the StFX campus is closed to the general public, remaining in effect until further notice (Exceptions are parents picking up students, and the foyer, 3rd floor Bloomfield for Maritime Bus Services).
  
   
• Almost all administrative staff have transitioned to working from home. While physical offices may be closed, our staff are still working and are reachable via email during regular business hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Atlantic Standard Time.  

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Returning Students and Staff/Faculty click here

Incoming new and prospective students click here

WHAT WE’RE DOING

As noted above, StFX shall remain operational under very specific conditions. We have based our decisions on how the university will proceed in its operations on the latest health reports from the Public Health Agency of Canada, on careful conversations with other universities but, most importantly, following the advice of Nova Scotia Public Health.

The university has activated a committee to oversee our pandemic preparedness. The mandate of the committee, chaired by Randy Peters, Director of Risk Management, is to ensure the safety of our community, including keeping the university community informedand to monitor and develop contingency plans that address conditions that may affect operations and programming.

 

Updates from the university

Keeping You Informed: message from StFX President, May 23

News You Can Use: Update from Elizabeth Yeo, May 20

News You Can Use: Update from Elizabeth Yeo, May 14

Keeping You Informed: message from StFX President, May 8

News You Can Use: Update from Elizabeth Yeo, May 6

A message of thanks: A letter to StFX staff and faculty from StFX President, May 6

Spring Convocation 2020 Update, April 30

News You Can Use: Update from Elizabeth Yeo, April 29

News You Can Use: Update from Elizabeth Yeo, April 22

News You Can Use: Career and Employment Edition, April 20

News You Can Use: Update from Elizabeth Yeo, April 15

UPDATE: Residence and Meal Plan rebate related to COVID-19, April 9

News You Can Use: Update from Elizabeth Yeo, April 8

UPDATE: Message from StFX President, Dr. Kevin Wamsley April 3

News You Can Use: Update from Elizabeth Yeo, April 1

News You Can Use: Update from Elizabeth Yeo, March 27

UPDATE: Message from StFX President, Dr. Kevin Wamsley March 26

News You Can Use: Update from Elizabeth Yeo, March 25

UPDATE: Message from StFX President - NS declares state of emergency, March 22

News You Can Use: Update from Elizabeth Yeo, March 20

UPDATE: Classes Resume Monday March 23rd, March 19

UPDATE: Message from StFX President, Dr. Kevin Wamsley March 19

UPDATE: Message from StFX President, Dr. Kevin Wamsley March 18

UPDATE: Spring Convocation Cancelled March 15

UPDATE: StFX Campus Closed to General Public March 15

UPDATE: Faculty and Staff Work Status March 15

TRAVEL DIRECTIVE: Exchange Students Return to Canada March 14

UPDATE: In-person Classes and Labs Suspended March 14

TRAVEL DIRECTIVE: Self-Isolation Protocol for Students, Faculty and Staff

UPDATE: Message from Kevin Wamsley COVID-19 March 13

TRAVEL DIRECTIVE: COVID-19 March 12

ABOUT CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19)

COVID-19 is an illness caused by a coronavirus. Human coronaviruses are common and are typically associated with mild illnesses, similar to the common cold. Symptoms of human coronaviruses may be very mild or more serious, such as fever, cough, or difficulty breathing. Symptoms may take up to 14 days to appear after exposure to the virus. Coronaviruses are most commonly spread from an infected person through:

• respiratory droplets when you cough or sneeze
• close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
• touching something with the virus on it, then touching your eyes, nose or mouth before washing your hands

These viruses are not known to spread through ventilation systems or through water.

REDUCE THE RISK: PREVENTION TIPS

The Nova Scotia Government has produced a comprehensive list of tips and best practice actions you can do to reduce the likelihood of catching or spreading the virus. We encourage you to familiarize yourself with the entire list, but some key actions include:

• Stay at home. Only venture out for essential pusposes. 
• Wash your hands on a regular basis. Wash using soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, taking extra care to ensure you clean all areas of your hands. If no soap or water is available, use an  alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Use enough to cover the fronts and backs of both hands and between all fingers.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Use cough and sneeze etiquette. Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or into your elbow.
• Maintain an appropriate ‘personal space.’ Position yourself at least 6-feet away from other people.
• Avoid unnecessary travel. Stay up to date regarding travel advisories by checking the Government of Canada travel advisories.
• If you’re feeling sick, stay home. Don’t put yourself or others at further risk.

You can also stay informed. The Government of Nova Scotia and the Government of Canada are excellent resources for information on COVID-19.  

TRAVEL

• All faculty and staff non-personal travel to countries for which the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has issued a travel health notice related to COVID-19 at any risk level (1-4 inclusive) is prohibited. 
• All academically-related student travel to any international destination is prohibited
• All StFX students, faculty and staff who have travelled internationally as of Friday, March 13, 2020 are to impose a 14-day self-isolation protocol before they can return to campus. Upon returning to Canada, all travelers should monitor their health for fever, cough and difficulty breathing for 14 days. If you have these symptoms, contact your local public health authority (811 in Nova Scotia) immediately. This applies to all StFX students, faculty and staff who were outside of Canada, whether for university or personal travel, as of Friday March 13, 2020.
• If you are planning personal travel, you are encouraged to stay informed of Global Affairs Canada travel advisories.  You should also check your travel insurance coverage to understand what will and will not be covered at your destination should you become ill – especially if a travel advisory is issued for your destination while you are still there. 

RESOURCES

StFX Health and Counselling Centre

St. Martha’s Regional Hospital - 25 Bay Street, Antigonish

• Emergency: Call 911 or proceed directly to the Emergency Department; open 24/7; after 11 pm enter through the main door

Emergency: Call 911

Government of Canada Public Health

Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness (Public Health)

Mental Health Crisis Line: 1-888-429-8167

Good2Talk Nova Scotia (available 24/7)

• Professional counsellors provide free, anonymous and confidential telephone counselling to postsecondary students.
• 1-833-292-3698 (toll-free)