See also all messages to the Polytechnique community
To ensure the smooth functioning of on-campus activities, please follow the following instructions and guidelines for Polytechnique Montréal community members. These guidelines conform to the Commission des normes, de l'équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST), the Ministère de l'Éducation et de l'Enseignement supérieur, and the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux requirements.
This document is updated regularly to reflect the evolution of government and public health authority requirements.
Last update: November 22, 2022
ACCESS AND GENERAL RULES
As of November 3rd, 2022, Québec public health removed the mandatory five-day isolation period following a COVID-19 infection.
Quebec public health now recommends that the population apply precautionary measures, not only for symptoms of COVID-19, but for all respiratory viruses - including influenza, which is about to begin its season.
If you have symptoms of respiratory virus
- We encourage people with flu-like symptoms to stay home.
- Once the fever and flu-like symptoms have decreased, it will be possible to return to Polytechnique.However, it will be important to wear the procedure mask as long as residual symptoms persist.
- Cleaning of surfaces, frequently touched equipment and shared work surfaces is recommended.
For 10 days following the onset of symptoms, you should adopt the following practices:
- Maintain physical distancing as much as possible.
- Avoid contact with vulnerable people, such as the elderly, the immunocompromised and those with chronic health conditions.
- Opt for remote activities, such as teleworking.
- Avoid non-essential social events.
- Advise people you know that you may be contagious.
Essential recommendations issued by Quebec public health
On November 16, 2022, Québec public health also made the following three key recommendations:
- Masks should be worn by everyone in busy areas, except in schools and day-care centres.
- It is important to continue to wash hands frequently. This is a simple gesture that helps protect against viruses such as influenza.
- Anyone with symptoms of a respiratory infection should stay home until fever subsides and wear a mask until symptoms such as a cough, sore throat or nasal congestion subside.
Managing absences
Employees
-
Because the self-isolation period is no longer mandatory, Polytechnique will withdraw the COVID-19 declaration form. Staff and managers will therefore no longer receive instructions from the OHS team when a member of their team is ill.
-
Beginning on December 5, 2022, days of absence due to COVID-19 infection should be managed in the same way as any other sick leave.
Members of the student community
- Absent students must complete the Office of the Registrar’s Formulaire de motivation d’absence (reason for absence form, in French only).
SELF-ISOLATION (STAFF aND STUDENTS)
- Travellers returning from abroad: If you test positive for COVID-19, the federal government may require you to self-isolate for 10 days.Unvaccinated persons: 5 days of strict self-isolation. After 5 days, you may stop self-isolating if you take a rapid test and get a negative result. The maximum self-isolation period is 10 days.
- Cases and close contacts who end their self-isolation period before Day 10:
- Avoid contact with vulnerable individuals
- Wear a mask for all social interactions (this rule does not apply to children ages 5 and under)
- Keep 2 meters away from others whenever possible
- Monitor for symptoms (if you are a close contact)
- Post-infection immunity: 2 months
To find out more, consult the Government of Quebec's Steps for limiting the spread of respiratory infectious diseases page.
WEARING PROCEDURAL MASKS
- Procedural masks are no longer required in post-secondary educational institutions. However, masks are an effective means of preventing the spread of COVID-19 and we encourage you to wear one. The university provides free masks at the entrance of several of our buildings.
- Masks must still be worn by people who have cold or flu symptoms.
VACCINATION AND PCR TEST
Although vaccination is not mandatory on our campus, we still encourage you to get your COVID-19 booster and your seasonal flu shot. You can make an appointment now on the Clic Santé portal.
For more information on vaccination, visit the COVID-19 vaccination page on the Quebec government website.
PCR Testing: Polytechnique personnel is placed on the priority list for access to PCR testing. Please check with your testing centre to see if they offer this service before you go there, or make an appointment at a testing centre. You will need to present proof of employment at the Polytechnique at the time of your appointment.
