COVID-19 Policy (Boucher Campus)

1 PURPOSE

a. This COVID-19 Policy (Boucher Campus) (“Policy”) is to safeguard the health and well-being of the �̲�ֱ�� Community (Boucher Campus) by mitigating the risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

b. This Policy formalizes �̲�ֱ��’s requirements around Preventative Measures associated with COVID-19 at its Boucher Campus.

2 SCOPE

a. This Policy applies to all members of the �̲�ֱ�� Community at the Boucher Campus.

3 DEFINITIONS

a. “Applicant” means a person who has applied for admission to study at the �̲�ֱ�� Boucher Campus.

b. “Care Employees” means clinic supervisors, faculty, and staff who work in care facilities or �̲�ֱ�� Teaching Clinics.

c. “�̲�ֱ�� Community” means all students, Applicants, faculty, staff, visitors, contractors, volunteers, and patients at the Boucher Campus.

d. “�̲�ֱ�� Teaching Clinic(s)” means the Boucher Naturopathic Clinic, any External Sites where students are completing their clinical rotations, and any private clinic where students are completing an externship.

e. “COVID-19 Vaccination” means the administration of a complete series of doses, including any necessary booster shots, of a vaccine approved by health authorities, aimed at providing immunity against COVID-19.

f. “External Sites” means ancillary locations, including community health centers and external teaching clinics, which operate outside �̲�ֱ�� Boucher Campus facilities.

g. “Masks” means any mask or cloth face covering, including medical and non-medical masks that fully covers the nose, mouth, and chin as recommended by public health authorities to reduce the transmission of COVID-19.

h. “Patient Care Area” means any area in a �̲�ֱ�� Teaching Clinic that is accessible to patients and clients that are accessing care, including hallways, and lobbies. Patient Care Areas do not include administrative areas or staff's private offices, which are not generally accessed by patients or clients.

i. “Preventative Measures” means the actions and protocols, including physical distancing, hand hygiene, regular cleaning and disinfection, proper ventilation, health screening, and the use of Masks and COVID-19 Vaccinations, aimed at minimizing the risk and transmission of COVID-19 within the �̲�ֱ�� Boucher Campus community, guided by the latest public health recommendations and subject to updates as new information becomes available.

j. “Provincial Health Officer” means the British Columbia Provincial Health Officer.

4 RESPONSIBLE PARTIES

a. All members of the �̲�ֱ�� Community share a social responsibility to contribute to the safety and well-being of all and will communicate the importance of this policy to all visitors to the College.

b. The Chief Naturopathic Medical Officer and Legal Counsel shall be responsible for remaining up to date with changing public health orders and regulations as they pertain to COVID-19 and any enforced Preventative Measures.

c. The Human Resources Department will be responsible for maintaining COVID-19 Vaccination status information of faculty and staff, if required by public health authorities.

d. The Student Services Department will be responsible for COVID-19 Vaccination status information of current students and applicants, if required by public health authorities.

5 COMPLIANCE WITH PUBLIC HEALTH MANDATES

a. This Policy is subject to any directives, mandates, or guidelines issued by public health authorities, government bodies, or other regulatory agencies.

b. In instances where these external mandates conflict with the Policy's provisions, the mandates will take precedence, overriding the existing Policy terms to adapt to new health and safety standards.

6. COVID-19 VACCINATION

a. Though not mandatory, all members of the �̲�ֱ�� Community at the Boucher Campus are encouraged to receive the COVID-19 Vaccination and remain up to date with their vaccine series.

b. Should this Policy conflict with those set by External Sties, the policy of the External Site shall prevail.

c. All COVID-19 Vaccination disclosures shall be stored in accordance with applicable privacy legislation, shall only be used to implement this Policy, administer health and safety protocols, and support infection prevention and control measures in the workplace.

7. MASKS

a. Though not mandatory, all members of the �̲�ֱ�� Community at the Boucher Campus are encouraged to wear masks.

b. Further, within the �̲�ֱ�� Teaching Clinics:

Clinic Supervisors and Clinic Interns must wear a Face Covering when requested to do so by a patient; and
Clinic Supervisors may mandate a Clinic Intern to wear a Face Covering if the patient’s condition necessitates.

c. Should this Policy conflict with those set by External Sites, the policy of the External Site shall prevail; except as noted under Section 7(b) of this Policy.

Date effective: July 26, 2024