Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Limit on off-campus work hours to be lifted temporarily

As of October 7, 2022, IRCC is temporarily lifting the 20-hour-per-week limit on the number of hours eligible post-secondary students are allowed to work off-campus during academic terms.

From November 15, 2022 to December 31, 2023, eligible international students will be permitted to work off campus for more than 20 hours per week.

Read the full announcement here.

Transition period for distance learning measures

International students studying online from abroad or who submit a study permit application no later than August 31, 2022, will continue to be able to complete up to 100% of their program online without affecting their PGWP eligibility. However, study time completed from abroad starting on September 1, 2023, will be deducted from the length of their post-graduation work permit, regardless of when a student began their studies.

The extension of temporary distance learning measures will affect those starting programs from September 1, 2022, to August 31, 2023. Specifically, these measures will apply:

1. No more than 50% of the credits earned can be completed outside Canada to remain eligible for a PGWP.
2. Studies completed online from outside Canada starting on September 1, 2023, will be deducted from the length of a future PGWP.

Please see the following IRCC link for more information:

• IRCC Transition period for distance learning measures (Page updated August 25, 2022)

See more information at this page:

IRCC/Study-Canada/Work after graduation/How much of online studies count toward a PGWP?

If you still have questions about taking in-person or online courses and the consequences for your PGWP, call the number on the back of your study permit and speak to IRCC directly who will possibly clarify your doubts.

Medical Insurance

Ensure that you have appropriate medical insurance for your time in Canada:

• All students must have medical insurance for the duration of their stay in Canada which includes coverage during possible mandatory quarantine period.
• The College advises students to discuss with their private insurance provider of any potential changes to their medical insurance or to their coverage while outside Canada.
• For students travelling to Canada, medical insurance coverage must include coverage for the quarantine period if arriving prior to the first day of classes.

British Columbia Medical Insurance (MSP)/GuardMe Medical Insurance:

• The BC Medical Services Plan (MSP) is the provincial government program that
  provides basic medical benefits.
• Everyone living in British Columbia (BC) for more than six months is required to
  enroll in MSP, except students with existing coverage from another Canadian
  province or territory.
• You should apply for MSP immediately upon your arrival in British Columbia.
• As there is a three-month waiting period before MSP coverage will start, you must
  ensure you have basic health insurance for those first three months in British
  Columbia.
• You can contact the Coquitlam College main office to inquire about
  GuardMe medical insurance for your first semester of study.

More COVID-19 Resources for Students

Please click on the following link to access a list of resources for help during COVID-19: List of Resources
This document contains information including but not limited to the following:

• For more information on COVID-19, please visit HealthLinkBC
• The toll-free phone number (1-833-784-4397) has been established to answer questions about COVID-19. Service is available from 7:00am to midnight (Eastern Standard Time)
• 8-1-1 is a provincial health information and advice line that can assist with connecting you to a health care professional.  If you are concerned that you may have been exposed to COVID-19 or showing symptoms, please contact your health care provider or dial 8-1-1 as soon as possible.
• Here2Talk, a new mental-health counselling and referral service for post-secondary students.
• To download the Thrive Health app, click here 
• Fraser Health Back to School Resources is a valuable resource with information about COVID-19 questions, exposure information, guidelines, and more

If you develop COVID-19 symptoms:

• If you develop symptoms of COVID-19 (e.g., cough, fever, difficulty breathing), follow these instructions:

I think I have COVID-19!

• Stay home if you have symptoms & notify your instructors by email.
• Most people with mild symptoms will recover on their own at home.
• If your symptoms are worsening to a point where you cannot manage at home, go to your
nearest hospital emergency department, and/or call 9-1-1.

Proof of Vaccination Requirement in BC

Here is information about BC’s Proof of Vaccination requirement which started September 2021 and will end April 8, 2022:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/proof

As of April 8, you will no longer need to show proof of vaccination to access restaurants, group exercise facilities and many other businesses around British Columbia.

Get Vaccinated!

If you’re not, already, Coquitlam College encourages all students to get vaccinated!
• To get vaccinated, please click on the following link to find a drop-in vaccine clinic in the
community closest to where you live:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/vaxforbc
-You can translate this to other languages. See the link for more links to translations.

Post-secondary COVID-19 Health & Safety Guidelines

Coquitlam College follows guidelines and protocols established in accordance to WorkSafeBC guidelines as well as guidelines provided to post-secondary institutions by our Provincial Health Officer and the local health authority as outlined in the COVID-19 Go-Forward Guidelines for B.C.’s Post-Secondary Sector document.

Please click here for the official Coquitlam College COVID-19 Safety and Readiness Plan.
Please click the following link for the official Coquitlam College Outbreak Response Plan
Please click here for the Terms of Reference for the Coquitlam College Self-Isolation Confirmation Team (SICT).

The following Appendices can also be accessed in relation to our Safety Plan when required:

Appendix A: Protocols for confirmed cases of COVID-19
Appendix B: Summary of School-based Prevention Measures
Appendix C: Daily health check

Brookmere Secondary COVID-19 Health & Safety Guidelines

Specifically for Brookmere Secondary, a division of Coquitlam College, for information on the health and safety guidelines that Coquitlam College has set in accordance to WorkSafeBC guidelines, please view our document entitled Brookmere Secondary Health and Safety Guidelines document.

The following Appendices can also be accessed in relation to our High School when required:

Appendix A: Protocols for confirmed cases of COVID-19
Appendix B: Summary of School-based Prevention Measures
Appendix C: Daily health check

Additional document: BCCDC COVID-19 Public Health Guidance for K-12 Schools Health & Safety Checklist

The Province of BC’s Guidelines for return to classes:

COVID-19 Post-Secondary 2021-2022 Return to Campus Guidelines

There is no place for discrimination of any kind on the Coquitlam College campus:
Since its inception, Coquitlam College has welcomed students from all nations with the goal of offering excellent educational opportunities within an atmosphere of scholarly integrity and cultural sensitivity. We acknowledge the importance of treating every member of our community with dignity and respect, and every person should feel welcomed and supported during their studies, without discrimination of any kind. Every one of us is responsible for treating our peers, fellow students, faculty and staff with dignity and respect. During this time of COVID-19, our core values are further demonstrated by not tolerating discrimination resulting from misplaced perception that a person may be a carrier of a communicable disease based on their perceived disability, race, ancestry, place of origin or otherwise.

Let’s be Considerate:
We should be considerate when talking about coronavirus disease. Please read the following document to understand how to better communicate about COVID-19 so we can better support our governments, citizens, media, key influencers and communities regarding COVID-19.

Educate Yourself about Racism & Discrimination
All of us have a responsibility to educate ourselves about the impact of racism and how we can combat racism. Find at the following link further information and resources.