McMaster is continuing to closely follow the global outbreak of COVID-19, also known as 2019 novel coronavirus. To keep our community informed, we will update these pages as the situation evolves and new information becomes available. Links to FAQs, health information and online resources are below.
March 10, 2020
McMaster continues to monitor developments around COVID-19. The University’s preparations and response is coordinated by its Crisis Management Team which began meeting on the coronavirus in January.
The University looks to Global Affairs Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada along with public health agencies in Ontario to guide its decisions in working to maintain the health and safety of campus.
The risk of contracting COVID-19 in Canada is still considered to be low.
McMaster classes and activities continue to run as normal.
Are you prepared if academic programs need to be delivered on-line?
There have been no changes to classes and activities at McMaster. We will continue to be guided by recommendations from public health officials who currently advise the risk levels continues to be low and that no changes to activities are required. However, planning for any new advice or directives from Public Health is an important part of making sure we are able to support our students should any developments restrict access to campus.
There are a number of technologies available to help you in your planning. There are also many people able to help you arrange orientation, consultation or support to use these technologies.
- Echo360 – For livestreaming or pre-recording your lectures
- MacVideo – For pre-recording your lectures directly in Avenue to Learn
- Microsoft Teams – For livestreaming, use of back channels for Q&A or follow-up conversations, collaborative work, virtual office hours, and pre-recording of lectures, introduction & explainer videos.
All campus community members currently have access to Microsoft Teams
- Contact UTS at uts@mcmaster.ca for support on how to set-up Microsoft Teams
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- Contact Christa Morrison, Digital Pedagogy Specialist at morric17@mcmaster.ca for support for how to use Microsoft Teams with your teaching
- WebEx Meetings – For web and video conferencing to hold real-time lectures, virtual office hours, meet with groups of students or for students to collaborate with one another in small groups.
- Avenue to Learn – The above technology can best be leveraged with our institutional Learning Management System, Avenue to Learn
New travel advice
Global Affairs Canada has issued a new travel warning. It is advising that Canadians avoid all cruise ship travel.
The federal government continues to caution people to avoid all travel to Iran and Hubei province in China. Avoid non-essential travel warnings continue for China and now extend to all of Italy.
Anyone who has returned from Iran or Hubei province in China in the last 14 days should stay at home and avoid close contact with others, including those in their home, for a total of 14 days from the date they left Hubei province or Iran. Contact Hamilton Public Health Services with 24 hours of arriving in Canada.
Returning travellers from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Singapore and South Korea in the last 14 days should self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days after leaving China, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Singapore or South Korea. Contact Hamilton Public Health Services if they develop any symptoms.
An inclusive McMaster community
McMaster is a diverse community that deeply values inclusion and respect. As the world manages the COVID-19 outbreak, it is important to remember that the virus is not connected to race but to geography. Fear and misinformation surrounding the transmission of COVID-19 can make people feel uncertain and vulnerable and lead to harmful prejudicial remarks or attitudes.
McMaster’s commitment to inclusion and respect is even more important at times such as this and we remind students and employees that the Equity and Inclusion Office (equity@mcmaster.ca) is available to support any community members who may be experiencing harassment or discrimination.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ) are on the COVID-19 site.
March 5, 2020
Academic Contingency Planning
Classes and academic programs are continuing as usual at McMaster. As the university continues to monitor the developing COVID-19 outbreak, it is important that faculty members and instructors consider their options to expand the ways they provide course programs to students.
The university provides faculty, staff, and students with many options for incorporating online methods of teaching that facilitate access off campus, complement in-class teaching, and enhance the learning experience.
The MacPherson Institute, UTS, and Campus Classroom Technologies are here to support those wishing to explore these alternative methods of delivery. We want to provide supports that will allow you to be flexible in the face of unexpected events.
This type of preparation is part of the Business Continuity Planning the university recommends every unit undertakes to be better prepared for any events that may impact the day-to-day functioning of the university. A business continuity guide and workbook is available here.
Technology to help deliver academic programs
There are a number of technologies available to help you in your planning. There are also many people able to help you arrange orientation, consultation or support to use these technologies.
- Echo360 – For livestreaming or pre-recording your lectures
- MacVideo – For pre-recording your lectures directly in Avenue to Learn
- Microsoft Teams – For livestreaming, use of back channels for Q&A or follow-up conversations, collaborative work, virtual office hours, and pre-recording of lectures, introduction & explainer videos.
All campus community members currently have access to Microsoft Teams
- Contact UTS at uts@mcmaster.ca for support on how to set-up Microsoft Teams
-
- Contact Christa Morrison, Digital Pedagogy Specialist at morric17@mcmaster.ca for support for how to use Microsoft Teams with your teaching
- WebEx Meetings -For web and video conferencing to hold real-time lectures, virtual office hours, meet with groups of students or for students to collaborate with one another in small groups.
- Avenue to Learn – The above technology can best be leveraged with our institutional Learning Management System, Avenue to Learn
Updated travel information
Public Health has provided additional information for travellers.
Iran is now at travel risk level 4. The advice from Global Affairs Canada is to avoid all travel to Iran.
Anyone who has returned from Iran or Hubei province in China in the last 14 days should stay at home and avoid close contact with others, including those in their home, for a total of 14 days from the date they left Hubei province or Iran. Contact Hamilton Public Health Services with 24 hours of arriving in Canada.
Returning travellers from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Singapore and South Korea in the last 14 days should self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days after leaving China, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Singapore or South Korea. Contact Hamilton Public Health Services if they develop any symptoms.
Anyone with severe illness should seek immediate medical attention by calling 911 and inform paramedics of their travel history.
If your university travel plans have been cancelled
Some international conferences are being cancelled changing travel plans for McMaster faculty and staff.
When booking travel please consider the risk of cancellation or the need to change your itinerary. It is recommended that you book airfare or other travel arrangements that includes the flexibility to change your plans.
Costs due to travel cancellations associated with the COVID-19 will be a reimbursable expense from the department or research account.
March 4, 2020
McMaster continues to monitor developments around COVID-19. The University’s preparations and response are coordinated by its Crisis Management Team which began meeting on the coronavirus in January.
The University looks to Global Affairs Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada along with public health agencies in Ontario to guide its decisions in working to maintain the health and safety of campus.
The risk of contracting COVID-19 in Canada is still considered to be low.
McMaster classes and activities continue to run as normal.
Travel Information
Warnings and advisors for travellers are updated regularly on the Global Affairs Canada website. Current warnings include:
- Northern Italy – avoid non-essential travel
- Iran – avoid non-essential travel
- China – avoid non-essential travel
These Level 3 warnings trigger McMaster’s Risk Management Policy (RMM #801) regarding student travel. The policy restricts undergraduate student exchanges, placements and official trips to the country. Such trips will no longer be permitted until the risk level is lowered by the federal government.
Graduate students who wish to travel to China, Iran or northern Italy for academic purposes will be considered on a case-by-case basis and will require the approval of either the provost or the vice-provost, International.
If you are entering Canada from countries where COVID-19 has spread, you should monitor yourself for symptoms for 14 days after leaving the affected area.
If your university travel plans have been cancelled
Some international conferences are being cancelled changing travel plans for McMaster faculty and staff.
When booking travel the university recommends buying economy flex tickets, or travel insurance, for cancellation or exchange purposes.
Costs due to travel cancellations associated with the COVID-19 will be a reimbursable expense from the department or research account.
Help for putting business continuity plans in place
Business continuity planning is an important part of the university’s risk management program. It allows departments and programs to plan ahead for disruptions. If your area has not yet developed a business continuity plan please refer to McMaster’s Business Planning Workbook which is highlighted on the Health, Safety and Risk Management website. It contains tips and worksheets to help ensure that you are prepared if a number of employees are unable to come to work, if supply chains are disrupted, or if you are unable to access your files and information in the usual way.
Help prevent the spread of illness
- Wash your hands often
- Wash for at least 20 seconds with soap and hot water
- Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer only if soap and water are not available
- Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
What to do if you feel sick
As with any virus, here’s what to do if you feel ill:
- Stay home and do your best to avoid close contact with others
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands
- If you don’t have a tissue, sneeze or cough into your elbow
- Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces
For more information, please visit McMaster’s COVID-19 update page.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ) can be found at https://dailynews.mcmaster.ca/coronavirus-faqs/.
March 2, 2020
A McMaster student who was being tested for COVID-19 following a trip to Europe has received their test results and notified the university that the test was negative and shows they do not have the coronavirus.
The university had shared a number of updates with the McMaster community over the weekend and had undertaken additional cleaning in an abundance of caution after receiving word on Friday that a student was being tested.
“It is such good news for our student,” said Roger Couldrey vice-president, Administration and chair of the university’s crisis management team. “But the virus continues to be a worldwide concern and the crisis team will continue to meet to ensure that McMaster is prepared and shares information and resources with our community.”
Updates will continue to be posted on McMaster’s COVD-19 webpage, the Daily News and the university’s social media sites.
Handwashing continues to be the best way to protect yourself from viruses, including COVID-19. New handwashing posters have been placed in McMaster washrooms with reminders to wash your hands frequently for a minimum of 20 seconds, avoid touching your face, and sneeze into your elbow. If you feel ill you should remain at home.
March 1, 2020
Cleaning on the first level of the Burke Science Building as detailed below has been completed. The business of the university is expected to continue as usual on Monday March 2.
For more information, go to:
FAQs
Health information
Resources
Past updates
Coronavirus update: February 29,2020
Coronavirus update: February 28, 2020
Government of Canada releases new travel advisories for northern Italy, Iran and South Korea (February 26, 2020)
Ontario confirms resolved case of 2019 novel coronavirus (February 19, 2020)
Canadian health officials urge travellers to voluntarily self-isolate (February 7, 2020)
Proper handwashing helps prevent infection (February 5, 2020)
Impact of new Canadian travel advisory to China (January 29, 2020)
New coronavirus: What you need to know (January 23-28)