Covid-19 Updates

• The Services Building is closed. Student access to the Library Building is limited to 10am-2pm for mail. The Academic Building remains closed to students.
• There is no meal service or retail food available on campus.
• If you need help or if you can help others (e.g, with supplies, masks, groceries, other assistance), visit the Sea-to-Sky Covid-19 Mutual Aid Facebook group created by a visiting tutor, tobias c. van Veen.
• The Quarantine Act is in effect; all travellers returning to Canada are required to self-isolate for 14 days.
• The US-Canada border closure is in effect. International students will still be able to enter Canada and are expected to honour the Quarantine Act.
• Domestic travel restrictions are in place for people who exhibit symptoms.
• Physical distancing is not a suggestion. It is a government directive for the public good. Act accordingly.

ACADEMICS AND EVENTS

• Classes are being delivered online for the March, April, and Summer Blocks.
• Field and lab activities are suspended.
• Students can now apply to take Foundation courses on a Pass/No Pass basis for Block 4 and Summer Block. See your email for details from the CAO’s office.
• All spring events are canceled, including Graduation Ceremonies. We plan to hold Graduation later in the calendar year instead.
• Keystone Symposium and Showcase will not take place in person. We are working on ways to host virtual presentations and celebrate students online.

RESIDENCES AND CAMPUS LIFE

• Students have been asked to leave campus. This is essential for de-densifying the area. Exemptions are granted on a case-by-case basis. If you remain at Quest, it should be because you have no other reasonable option.
• The RecPlex is closed.
• The Academic Building is not accessible to students. The Services Building is closed. The Library Building is accessible to students during limited hours (10am-2pm).
• If you must remain at Quest, do not bring guests to campus.
• Monitor your emails for updates from Campus Life.

STAFF AND FACULTY

• Staff whose jobs can be done remotely are telecommuting. Supervisors should stay in close touch with their teams.
• If you are returning from travel outside Canada, you must self-isolate for 14 days as per the federal Quarantine Act; get in touch with your supervisor or HR if you need guidance on working from home, and ask IT for tech support if needed.
• If you are sick, Quest will not require any doctor’s notes, per government guidelines.
• Staff and faculty have received emails with updates from Quest’s extended health insurance provider. Please read those updates because Equitable has revised policy more than once. (Equitable’s most recent travel policy was issued on March 17 and includes a phone number for members who are traveling.)

ADDITIONAL

• We will email the Quest community with updates that affect academics or campus life.
• Please bookmark this page. We will do our best to keep it current, but things are changing quickly.

• If you’re healthy and young, you could carry the coronavirus without exhibiting any symptoms, and could easily transmit it to others who could become gravely ill or worse. Follow public health guidelines!
• Take physical distancing seriously:
  • If you must go out, keep a distance of about 6 ft between individuals at all times.
  • Avoid gatherings of any type and any size.
• If you’re sick with anything infectious (even if it’s just a cold), self-isolate.
• Wash your hands thoroughly and often with soap and water in accordance with the W.H.O method. Most people do not do this properly, so consult the graphic or online videos for instructions.
• Use alcohol-based sanitizer when soap and water are not available.
• If you sneeze or cough, cover your mouth with a tissue, then throw the tissue away immediately; if you don’t have a tissue, bury your cough or sneeze in your elbow. Wash your hands after you throw the tissue away.
• The virus remains detectible on surfaces, such as cardboard (up to 24 hours); copper (up to 4 hours); and steel, plastic and glass (up to 72 hours). It is not clear if it’s infectious that way, or for how long, but err on the side of caution.
• Avoid contact with anyone who is sick.
• If you are a caregiver to someone who is sick, follow advice for caregivers.
• Clean frequently touched surfaces, including handles, knobs, and electronics. You can mix bleach and water in various proportions to disinfect most items.
• Do not shake hands or hug people.
• Minimize touching your face. Humans touch their faces reflexively, so be mindful.
• If you are traveling back from outside Canada: the federal Quarantine Act requires you to self-isolate for 14 days. Please also fill out the Portal form. Travel of any kind should be followed by a period of self-isolation.
• Note that many governments have declared a state of emergency; follow travel advisory guidelines.

Covid-19 symptoms include a dry cough, fever, and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. Unlike the flu, a runny nose or stuffy nose are not typical. If you have symptoms, or suspect you’ve been exposed:

• Isolate immediately.
• Use BC’s self-assessment tool to determine if you need further assessment or testing.
• Do not go to the hospital unless your symptoms are severe, per Vancouver Coastal Health’s request. Testing is reserved for people who need hospitalization or work in front-line care.
• After using the assessment tool, follow the instructions. If you are still unsure of how to proceed, call 811 (HealthLinkBC); expect long wait times on the phone.
• Please fill out the confidential form on the Portal so Quest can take appropriate action.

Here is the info we’ve been able to gather about Squamish businesses. It is not comprehensive, and services and hours may change with little notice. We hope this helps for the time being. You can also join the Squamish Coronavirus Info Facebook page to keep up with local developments.

Local Businesses with Dedicated and Reduced Hours

• The Independent
  8am-9am: seniors, people with accessibility needs, and vulnerable persons and families
  9am-8pm: everyone else
• Nester’s Market
  8am-9am: preferential hour for seniors and people with accessibility needs, but open to all
  8am-8pm: open to all
• Save-On-Foods
  7am-8am: seniors, people with accessibility needs, and vulnerable persons and families
  8am-8pm: everyone else
• London Drugs (store)
  8am-9am weekdays: seniors, people with accessibility needs, and vulnerable persons
  9am-9pm weekdays: everyone else
  Regular store hours on the weekend
• London Drugs (pharmacy)
  8am-9am weekdays: seniors and vulnerable persons
  9am-8pm weekdays: everyone else
  9am-6pm Saturdays: everyone
  10am-6pm Sundays: everyone
• Shoppers Drug Mart (store)
  8am-9am: preferential hour for seniors, people with accessibility needs, and vulnerable persons, but open to all
  8am-10pm: open to all
• Shoppers Drug Mart (pharmacy)
  8am-midnight: Mon-Tu
  8am-10pm: Wed-Sun
• Walmart
  7am-8am weekdays: seniors
  8am-8pm: open to all
• Canada Post (Brackendale)
  Reduced hours
  10:30am-3:30pm weekdays
  Closed weekends
• Canada Post (Downtown/Cleveland)
  Reduced hours
  9:30am-4:30pm weekdays; first hour reserved for seniors and those with accessibility needs
  Closed weekends
• BC Liquor
  Reduced hours: 11am-7pm every day
• Squamish Liquor Store
  Reduced hours: 10am-10pm every day
  Maximum of six customers in store at a time
• Canadian Tire
  Reduced hours: 8am-6pm every day
• Dollarama
  Reduced hours
  9am-8pm Monday through Saturday
  10am-6pm Sunday
  First hour dedicated to seniors and those with accessibility needs
• Dollartree
  Reduced hours
  9am-6pm Monday through Saturday
  10am-6pm Sunday
• Home Depot
  Reduced hours
  8am-6pm weekdays
  9am-6pm weekends
• Squamish Home Hardware
  Reduced hours
  9am-4pm every day
• Bank of Montreal
  Reduced hours
  10am-4pm weekdays
  Closed on weekends
• Triton Automotive & Industrial Ltd.
  Reduced hours and taking phone/online orders only
  7am-5pm weekdays
  9am-5pm Saturday
• Brackendale General Store
  Reduced hours: 10am-8pm every day
• Alpenlofts Veterinary Hospital
  Reduced hours
  8am-5pm Mon-Fri
  9am-5pm Sat-Sun
  Call first. Appointments are limited to emergencies until further notice.
• Bosley’s
  9am-6pm Monday Saturday
  10am-6pm Sunday

Local Businesses with Change of Operations

• Boston Pizza – take-out, delivery only
• Crabapple – take-out only, debit/credit payments only
• Dr. Amy Rolfsen, ND – available by video only
• Dragon Terrace – take-out, delivery only
• Diamond Head Motors – free pick-up/drop-off for vehicles; stringent disinfecting protocols
• Fortune Kitchen – take-out, pick-up only
• Golden Crust – pick-up, delivery only
• Joe Pesto’s Wood Fired Pizzeria – take-out only (4pm-8pm Tuesday-Thursday; 4pm-9pm Friday and Saturday)
• KalTire – urgent services only (e.g, flat tires, dangerous conditions); no seasonal tire changes; weekdays 8am-5pm
• Lifemark Physiotherapy – in-person services to patients who require essential or urgent care; Virtual Care Model for others
• Lucas Teas – order online/call only to arrange pick-up/free local delivery 11am-4pm every day
• Newport Auto – book online or by phone; touchless drop-off and valet pickup; stringent disinfecting protocols
• Noodlebox – phone take-out orders
• Nootka & Sea – curbside pick-up and free local delivery
• Pepe’s – take-out only
• Quest University (courses online; most students off-campus; staff telecommuting; no public access to buildings)
• Samurai Sushi (Garibaldi only open) – take-out only, 11am-8pm daily; credit/debit
• Spot Laundry – closed but offering pick-up and drop-off services
• The Nest – take-out and delivery only
• Tim Horton’s – take-out, drive-thru, delivery only
• Totem Hall – no programs until further notice
• Violet Quartz Wellness – classes and private sessions online only
• Wigan Pier – take-out only
• Xoco Westcoast Chocolate – e-commerce; order and delivery only

Note that many physicians are using TeleHealth or other virtual modalities for appointments when possible and appropriate.

Local Businesses Closed Until Further Notice

• 1914 Coffee Company
• Act Alive
• Ako Collaborative Health
• Anytime Fitness
• Atwell Dental
• Anna’s Interiors (phone/email for immediate assistance)
• Billies Flower House
• Blownaway Salon and Spa
• Breath Squamish
• Brennan Park pool and ice rink
• Chances Casino
• Club Flex fitness studio
• Concrete Blonde Hair & Body Studio
• Core Intentions Pilates
• Derek The Physio
• Diamond Head Dental
• Eaglewind Health
• Elevate Performance Realty and Management
• Emily’s Hair Designs
• Euphoria Natural Health
• Garibaldi Active Wellness
• Ground-Up Climbing Gym
• Happimess
• Howe Sound Brew Pub
• Modo Yoga
• Mountain Fitness
• Mumpy’s Squamish Playhouse
• Noble House
• North Yoga
• Optomeyes
• Parkside Dental Clinic
• Pearl’s Value & Vintage
• Physiofocus Squamish
• Reach Physio
• Saha Eatery
• Sea to Sky Air
• Sea to Sky Community Services (available by phone)
• Sea to Sky Gondola
• Sea to Sky Massage Therapy
• Shala Yoga
• Smoke Bluffs Physio
• St. Joseph’s Thrift
• Starbucks
• Storm Gym
• Style Zone
• Squamish Academy of Music (SAM) – beginning online teaching March 30
• Squamish Dance Centre (switching to online for current students)
• Squishy’s Fun Zone
• Squamish Integrated Health
• Squamish Physiotherapy and Wellness Centre 
• Squamish Rebuild
• The Girlz Garage Hair Salon
• The Hive
• The Shady Tree 
• Wild Life Gym
• Women’s Centre (Squamish/Whistler – phone support available)
• Work BC – Sea to Sky Resource Centre (phone, email, video chat support available)

Covid-19 Quick Sheet: Government of Canada Announcements

Covid-19 self-assessment tool

Vancouver Coastal Health

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Info sheet for students with a guard.me policy (March 6)

Revised Equitable Life policy on travel coverage (March 17)

Toll-free Government of Canada info line: 1.833.784.4397