COVID-19 Update to Students and Staff

No, there are no known or suspected cases of COVID-19 at Brighton College.

You can read our full protocol here.

Exposure Control Protocol

Brighton College is following the advice of the Provincial Health Officer, and wants to help slow the spread of COVID-19 through temporary social distancing measures. By moving our courses online for the remainder of the term, students can continue to study while maintaining social distance.

To promote social distancing during this critical time, all in-person student support services will move online from Wednesday, March 18th for the remainder of the Winter 2020 term. Our staff will continue to work remotely and facilities will not be accessible until further notice.

Administrative student support services such as admissions, student services, employment services, IT support, student financial services will operate remotely. All other student services are temporarily suspended.

We have established a Student Information Line, which can be reached at (604) 430-5608. By calling the Student Information Line, you will be able to select from available services and be transferred to a staff representative.

For help with Canvas or BlueJeans, visit: www.brightoncollege.com/bluejeans/ or call the Canvas Helpdesk at (604) 416-0385.

Details about your online examinations will be announced by your instructor. Each course will have its own assessment methods.

In-person tuition fee payments are not available; however students can pay tuition fees through online banking.

For more information on how to pay tuition fees online, visit: https://brightoncollege.com/admissions/tuition-fees-and-financial-aid/.

No. We are moving the class from campus to be virtual classroom. It is still a face to face, real-time teaching but online. You will still have instructor for your full class hour.

The Office of the Registrar is providing limited access for students to pick up original/irreplaceable file documents (e.g. international transcripts, test score documents, etc.) and textbooks, by appointment only, every Wednesday and Friday, 10am to 5pm, Burnaby campus. This schedule is subject to change depending on health and safety conditions and the guidance of the Provincial Health Officer.

Students must first make a request by email to studentservices@brightoncollege.com and receive an email invitation. Requests must be received at least four business days prior to the next scheduled pick up date. Documents will not be returned to students who drop-in without prior arrangement.

Yes, transcript ordering is available as usual, however students will need to select mailing options as in-person pick-up is unavailable during this time. Express courier service is also unavailable, however transcripts can be mailed to student’s homes or to other institutions through regular mail service.

Read our Self-Isolation Plan for Brighton College students by clicking here (Updated October 23rd, 5:25pm PST. Please download the latest version.)

14 Day Self-Isolation Plan

Brighton College is committed to the safety of its community in ensuring that we are not overextended in our capacity to welcome incoming international students along provincial and federal guidelines.

The college continues to maintain a program of support for all incoming international students while classes are currently online, and will maintain this program in the future when classes and services are gradually brought back to campus. Measures include our increased staffing and comprehensive training program for protection against COVID outbreaks, and the repurposing of existing staff in order to manage students under supervision. We have allocated an entire department for intake and assessment, and we have restricted the number of new students enrolling so as to protect our capacity to manage the incoming arrivals.

Brighton College commits to holding each of its Enrollment Advisors to a ratio of 1:15 students in terms of managing cases and personalized contact, and all other AC units have been trained and mobilized to offer support in terms of onboarding, campus culture, health and safety among other services.

The comprehensive 14 Day Self Isolation Plan provides resources and information, including multiple options for places of isolation, however the personalized services and cultural onboarding are vital components of ensuring that mandated quarantine measures are held in place.

Yes. For health and safety reasons, classes are currently running in a virtual format, and you can continue to study from any place in the world. Brighton College does not advise students to leave Canada, however every student’s circumstance is unique.

It is important to note that classes continue to take place, virtually, at the same day(s) and time as scheduled, and these class times are based on Vancouver local time (PST).

Additionally, students who travel out of Canada during this time may also be unable to return to Canada in time for next semester, either due to border closures or flight limitations. Students should be aware that some private medical insurance providers, including Guard.Me, have suspended coverage for any policyholder who chooses to leave Canada at this time. If a student is currently relying on private medical insurance or travel health insurance, they will likely not be covered in the event that they become ill outside of Canada.

Finally, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that students already taking in-person classes in Canada which are now being taught virtually due to the current COVID-19 situation will not experience a negative impact on their Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility. International students are advised to consult with IRCC prior to deciding whether or not to travel back to their home country for a period of time.

No. Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that courses of study being delivered virtually during this exceptional period of time will not affect permit eligibility. The information quoted below is from the Government of Canada. For more information, please see this link www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/coronavirus-covid19/visitors-foreign-workers-students.html

If your in-person classes have been changed to virtual classrooms because of COVID-19, your eligibility for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Program won’t be affected. This includes students who have a study permit or who have been approved for a study permit for a program starting in May or June but who are unable to travel to Canada at this time due to travel restrictions. International students in this situation may begin their classes while outside Canada and may complete up to 50% of their program while outside Canada if they cannot travel to Canada sooner.

The same applies to the Fall 2020 term. The information quoted below is from the Government of Canada. For more information, please see this link
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/notices/pgwpp-rules-covid19.html

PGWPP eligibility will not be affected for international students whose fall 2020 courses will be online due to COVID-19. This is in line with guidance provided to students already studying in Canada or whose program had a spring or summer start date.

Students in this situation may begin their classes while outside Canada and complete up to 50% of their program via distance learning if they cannot travel to Canada sooner.

In addition, they will not have time deducted from the length of a future post-graduation work permit for studies completed outside of Canada, up to December 31, 2020.

The information quoted below is from the Government of Canada. For more information, please see this link https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/coronavirus-covid19/visitors-foreign-workers-students.html

If you’re an international student who has a valid study permit or were approved for a study permit on or before March 18, 2020, you are exempt from the travel restrictions.

If you’re travelling by air, you need to pass a health check conducted by airlines before you’re allowed to board your flight. Anyone who shows symptoms of COVID-19 will not be allowed to enter Canada by air.
When you arrive in Canada we’ll assess your health before you leave the port of entry. You must isolate for 14 days even if you have no symptoms. This is mandatory. “

If your in-class courses are being moved to an online-only format because of COVID-19, your eligibility for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Program won’t be affected. This includes students who have a study permit or who have been approved for a study permit for a program starting in May or June but who are unable to travel to Canada at this time due to travel restrictions. International students in this situation may begin their classes while outside Canada and may complete up to 50% of their program while outside Canada if they cannot travel to Canada sooner.

Visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website account for up-to- date information on special measures put in place by IRCC to help temporary and permanent residents and applicants affected by COVID19. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/coronavirus-covid19.html

Please note: IRCC Client Support Centre’s telephone services are unavailable until further notice. For alternate ways find information, including the IRCC contact web form, visit this link: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/contact-ircc/client-support-centre.html

As a response to COVID-19, the Government of Canada has announced the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). For the latest information, to see if you qualify, application process, and frequently asked questions, please follow this link: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/cerb-application.html

On April 22, 2020, the Department of Finance Canada announced new measures to assist students impacted by COVID-19, which includes enhanced Student Financial Assistance for Fall 2020 and the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB).
https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2020/04/support-for-students-and-recent-graduates-impacted-by-covid-19.html

You may be able to receive hardship assistance, depending on your circumstances. To learn more about Income and Disability Assistance, please follow this link: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/family-social-supports/income-assistance/access-services
For information on paused repayment of Canada Student Loans, please see here:
https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/notices/coronavirus.html

To help battle the COVID-19 outbreak, starting immediately (April 22, 2020), the government will remove the restriction that allows international students to work a maximum of 20 hours per week while classes are in session, provided they are working in an essential service or function, such as health care, critical infrastructure, or the supply of food or other critical goods.
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2020/04/removing-barriers-for-international-students-working-in-essential-services-to-fight-covid-19.html

Those who are infected with COVID-19 may have little to no symptoms. You may not know you have symptoms of COVID-19 because they are similar to a cold or flu. Symptoms may take up to 14 days to appear after exposure to COVID-19. This is the longest known incubation period for this disease.

Symptoms have included:

• cough
• fever
• difficulty breathing
• pneumonia in both lungs

You may use the BC COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool to check your symptoms online. This resource is available 24 hours a day, available at this link: https://ca.thrive.health/
For more information on symptoms, please visit this link:
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/symptoms.html?topic=tilelink

If you have questions you can call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 toll-free in B.C. By calling 8-1-1, you can speak to a health service navigator, who can help you find health information and services; or connect you directly with a registered nurse and other health care professionals.

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, call 9-1-1 or go directly to your nearest emergency department:

• Severe difficulty breathing (e.g. struggling to breathe or speaking in single words)
• Severe chest pain
• Having a very hard time waking up
• Feeling confused
• Losing consciousness

These symptoms require immediate medical attention.

For detailed up-to-date information from the government of Canada regarding prevention, quarantine and isolation requirements, please follow this link:
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/prevention-risks.html

Together, we can slow the spread of COVID-19 by making a conscious effort to keep a physical distance between each other. Physical distancing is proven to be one of the most effective ways to reduce the spread of illness during an outbreak. With patience and cooperation, we can all do our part.
This means making changes in your everyday routines in order to minimize close contact with others, including:

• avoiding crowded places and non-essential gatherings
• avoiding common greetings, such as handshakes
• limiting contact with people at higher risk (e.g. older adults and those in poor health)
• keeping a distance of at least 2 arms lengths (approximately 2 metres) from others, as much as possible

Here’s how you can practice physical distancing:

• greet with a wave instead of a handshake, a kiss or a hug
• stay home as much as possible, including for meals and entertainment
• grocery shop once per week
• take public transportation during off-peak hours
• conduct virtual meetings
• host virtual playdates for your kids
• use technology to keep in touch with friends and family

If possible,

• use food delivery services or online shopping
• exercise at home or outside
• work from home

For more information on physical distancing:
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/diseases-conditions/social-distancing.html

According to the BC Centre for disease control, COVID-19 does not appear to be transmitted by eating food contaminated with the virus, however, it is important to wash your hands before preparing or eating food. For information on grocery store etiquette and food safety, please visit this link.
COVID-19 Shop Smart Video

COVID-19 Shop Smart – English from Retail Council of Canada on Vimeo.

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