COVID-19 Update

March 11, 2020

In response to COVID-19 and flu-related illness, the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health (Public Health) encourages individuals to stay home when sick and recommends following proper respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene. To stay healthy and prevent the spread of viruses on our campuses:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
• Sneeze or cough into your arm or sleeve or tissue.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• If you become ill, stay home from work, school and other activities until you no longer show symptoms. Contact Tele-Care 811 or your healthcare professional and describe your symptoms.
• Follow the advice of health professionals.
• Encourage those you know are sick to stay home until they are symptom-free.

UNB Students

We understand that COVID-19 is causing concern for members in our community. We will work with students to provide appropriate academic accommodations. All students who are experiencing flu-like symptoms or missing classes related to COVID-19 monitoring are encouraged to contact your department with questions or concerns about the interruption of the academic component of your program.

Students who are unable to return to class due to self-isolation or flu-like symptoms, please inform your instructors and other relevant contacts and follow normal procedures for notifying that you are going to be absent from class.

Students who are self-isolating upon returning from travel destinations as requested and do not have any symptoms should expect to study at home for 14 days.

Medical documentation will not be required for short term absences due to flu-like symptoms.

UNB Faculty and Staff

We understand that COVID-19 is causing concern for members in our community. If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms and/or you are unable to work due to required COVID-19 self-isolation, please notify your supervisor/manager and follow the normal protocol in your unit for notifying that you are unable to report for work.

Medical documentation for COVID-19 related absences that extends beyond three working days is not required until further notice. For all other absences, sick leave procedures remain in place.

Please contact Human Resources if you have any employee leave of absence questions or concerns:

Human Resources Saint John: finadmin@unb.ca, (506) 648-5941
Human Resources Fredericton: hrandod@unb.ca, (506) 453-4648

While the situation is evolving globally, the risk to New Brunswick remains low. There are no confirmed COVID-19 cases in New Brunswick. It is important that as a community, we continue to look out for each other and approach our peers and colleagues with empathy and kindness.

UNB is monitoring ongoing COVID-19 developments and follows direction from federal, provincial and local health authorities.