Students, faculty and staff wearing masks.

Health and Safety

The health and safety of our campus community is our top priority. We are taking every precaution necessary to ensure you’re safe on campus. Visit Western University’s Health & Safety site for more details on what Western and the affiliate campuses are doing to ensure your safety.

Return to Campus Plan

Ensuring a Safe Campus 

Non-medical masks & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
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All staff, faculty, students and visitors to campus are required to wear a non-medical mask/face covering if medically able. Masks are required when in the presence of others and in common/shared spaces on campus, including lounges and classrooms. Employees will be supplied with two washable Brescia-branded non-medical masks/face coverings when returning to campus. These masks are available for pick-up at the St. James Welcome Desk reception area. 

For visitors on campus who do not have a mask, disposable masks are available and can be picked up at the front desk in the reception area of the St. James Building.

Brescia has secured a sufficient number of masks, gloves and where required, face shields for our community members who require or feel more comfortable wearing the appropriate PPE.

Required Self-Declaration Form
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All students, faculty and staff are required to submit a form prior to each visit on Brescia's campus. To complete the forms, visit our Faculty/Staff or Current Students COVID-19 websites.
Signage and Traffic Flow
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To ensure that our community follows recommended physical distancing protocol, new traffic flow measures on campus have been introduced to ensure safe movement through buildings, classrooms and lounge spaces.

Entrances and exits may have changed and potentially may be designated as “one way” only.  Please watch for signage that will guide the community on using the correct doors and entrances.

Each of our classrooms will have a maximum capacity marked with clear signage on entrance/exit procedures. Work spaces, desks and seating will be clearly marked to ensure physical distancing measures are followed.

The Mercato
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The Mercato is only open to serve our students living in Clare Hall. To ensure the health and safety of all:

  • Traffic flow measures are in place to respect distancing measures
  • Dining and seating areas in the Mercato are modified to accommodate physical distancing
  • The Marche (food service area) will model a reduced capacity with approximately 20-25 visitors at a time
  • Priority access meal times are provided to Clare Hall residents 

For more information, visit The Mercato website. 

Cleaning and Sanitization Protocol
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Please review our routine cleaning and disinfecting requirements, prepared by Facilities Management which outlines Brescia’s cleaning and disinfecting procedures.

Mask Wearing FAQs

Are masks mandatory on Brescia’s campus?
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Yes, under the direction of the Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) and Western University, non-medical masks or face coverings are mandatory for all Brescia community members and visitors when indoors on Brescia’s campus.

Students living in Brescia’s Clare Hall residence will be supplied with two complimentary, reusable face masks. All other students and visitors can request a non-reusable mask at the St. James and Clare Hall front desks, as well as The Hive.

Why wear a mask?
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Non-medical masks or face coverings are required as they provide a barrier to help prevent respiratory droplets (from coughing, sneezing or talking) from traveling into the air and onto others – with the possibility of spreading COVID-19.
What if I can’t wear a mask?
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If you are unable to wear a non-medical mask or face covering, due to medical conditions or other reasons, Brescia will provide a face shield. Students must contact Western Accessible Education to support this exception, and all Brescia staff and faculty must contact Human Resources.

Do's and Don'ts of Wearing a Mask:

DO:

  • DO wear a mask or face covering to protect others
  • DO ensure your nose and mouth are completely covered
  • DO inspect the mask for holes or damage
  • DO regularly wash and replace masks
  • DO wash your hands before and after handling the mask
  • DO use the ear loops or ties to put on and remove the mask
  • DO store re-usable masks in a clean area
  • DO discard masks that cannot be washed in a plastic lined garbage bin after use

DON'T:

  • DON'T reuse masks that are moist, dirty or damaged
  • DON'T wear a loose-fitting mask
  • DON'T touch the mask while wearing it
  • DON'T remove the mask to talk to someone
  • DON'T hang mask from your neck or ears
  • DON'T share your mask
  • DON'T leave your used mask within the reach of others

Help contain the spread of COVID-19

In addition to regularly wearing a mask or staying home, Brescia community members are encouraged to maintain a 2-meter physical distance from others and to wash your hands frequently with warm water and soap – for at least 20 seconds.

What if I don’t have access to clean water and soap?
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If water and soap are unavailable, use hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
Where can I find additional information about COVID-19 in universities and Canada?
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Students, faculty, staff and visitors looking for additional information can visit the following pages: Brescia’s COVID-19 Update, Western’s Response to COVID-19 or the Government of Canada COVID-19.

Brescia also strongly encourages the download of the COVID Alert App, Canada's free exposure notification app, which helps break the cycle of infection by letting people know of possible exposures before any symptoms appear.