Saskatchewan prepares for COVID-19 as second presumed case announced

The University of Saskatchewan is temporarily halting classes on its Saskatoon campus in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are not closing the University,” university president Peter Stoicheff wrote in an update sent to students, faculty and staff and shared with the media on Friday evening. Rather, Stoicheff said, classes would be put on hold from Monday through Wednesday next week.

“Although many of our classes are below 250 students, students congregate in much larger numbers in our buildings in getting to and from classes. For this reason, and also because we do have some classes that exceed 250 students, we are taking this measure,” Stoicheff wrote.

Along with trying to reduce the potential for the virus to spread, the three-day pause is meant to give instructors time to prepare for a move to web-based instruction starting on Thursday for all classes and continuing for the remainder of the winter term.

Students were advised that they will receive further details from their respective colleges if they are in a program involving things like clinical placements or rotations.

Stoicheff wrote that the university is still working on a plan for final exams.

While classes will be suspended, Stoicheff noted, campus food and health services will continue to operate.

Libraries and residence halls will remain open, as will exercise facilities and pools.

RESEARCH CONTINUES

Research activities at the university also are expected to continue and staff and faculty are advised to report for their shifts as normal for now.

Beyond that, Stoicheff said, effective immediately, any events on campus not directly related to “our core teaching and learning mission, and our governance” are to be either cancelled or postponed.

Along with the changes coming to the U of S campus, Stoicheff also advised there would be further tightening of travel restrictions, with all international travel planned for staff, students or faculty cancelled.

Students and staff at U of S campuses elsewhere in the province — including nursing students training in Regina and those taking classes or working in Prince Albert, were advised that regular classes are expected to continue next week, with further communication to be “forthcoming as soon as possible.”

Stoicheff added a further reminder for everyone in the U of S community to continue following health officials’ advice, such as practising frequent handwashing and avoiding large crowds and close proximity to people.

“I can’t stress enough that if you are sick, please stay home and help to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses,” Stoicheff said.