Health & Safety Policies and Information for International Students arriving to Canada
OMNI College is an approved Designated Learning Institution by the government of Canada. You can find OMNI College on the list of approved DLI’s here. OMNI has been a Designated Learning Institution since June 2014 (OMNI DLI#O19347439002), and as of April 2021 became also a COVID-Ready approved DLI as well.
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Critical Incident and Crisis Management Policy
Click here for a copy of our policy for critical incident and crisis management.
Health & Safety
The health and safety of our students, staff, and faculty are of utmost priority at OMNI College. We have a robust safety plan and implemented measures to minimize the risk of communicable diseases like COVID-19 at OMNI College. Although masks are no longer required, we encourage everyone to self-monitor for symptoms and to wear masks if they feel ill at any time.
OMNI College has also added Communicable Disease Prevention protocol into its existing Health & Safety Policy. This is laid out in the Student and Staff Handbooks for everyone to receive before beginning a study program or employment at the college.
COVID Symptoms
All visitors, staff, students and faculty – Please make sure that if you feel any of the below symptoms you do not come to OMNI College:
Excerpted from the canada.ca website:
“Symptoms of COVID-19 can vary from person to person. They may also vary in different age groups.
Some of the more commonly reported symptoms include:
- new or worsening cough
- shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- temperature equal to or over 38°C
- feeling feverish
- chills
- fatigue or weakness
- muscle or body aches
- new loss of smell or taste
- headache
- gastrointestinal symptoms (abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting)
- feeling very unwell
Children tend to have abdominal symptoms and skin changes or rashes.
Symptoms may take up to 14 days to appear after exposure to COVID-19.”
Medical Resources
Should you experience any of the above systems and need to visit a testing centre, dial 811 from any phone for guidance, or visit the HealthlinkBC website directly.
Onsite Nursing Labs
While some classroom sessions have shifted online to virtual classrooms, the hands-on lab and nursing skills practice must continue to be done in-person, onsite at OMNI College.
Students will practice in our newly-expanded lab space, where all hospital beds, demonstration stations, and equipment have been properly separated so they remain 6 feet/2 meters apart and social distancing may be observed.
Students are required to wipe down all lab equipment and materials after each use. Disinfectant is provided in the labs and they are readily available at multiple sanitization stations throughout the campus. Lab faculty also conduct a thorough cleaning of all equipment used at the end of each day.
International Students Arriving to Canada
It is imperative that international students share the details of their travel plans with their OMNI Admissions Advisor so that appropriate guidance can be provided.
In preparation for your arrival in Canada, please make note of the following:
As of August 2024, below are the requirements for traveling to Canada. This has been excerpted from the Government of Canada website at https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub/international-students-etudiants-etrangers-eng.html. These are subject to change so please click through to read the most current requirements:
For all travellers entering Canada by air, land or marine mode:
- Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is not required
- Pre-board testing is not required
- COVID-19 pre-entry and arrival tests are not required
- Quarantine after you enter Canada is not required
- Using ArriveCAN is not required, but
- to save time at the border, you can use Advance Declaration in ArriveCAN to submit your customs and immigration declaration before flying into Canada
- Pre-boarding tests for cruise passengers are not required
- As always, travel documents are required
- Health checks to board planes and trains are not required
- Wearing masks on planes and trains is not required
- It’s strongly recommended that you wear a well-constructed and well-fitted mask or respirator while you travel
If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you shouldn’t travel to Canada.
If you feel sick or experience any symptoms of COVID-19 during your travel to Canada or upon arrival, you should:
- inform the flight attendant, cruise staff or a border services officer upon arrival. You may be referred to a Quarantine Officer for a health assessment and further direction.
- avoid taking public transportation
- check provincial or territorial requirements for what you need to do if you’re symptomatic or have tested positive for COVID-19.
Before Travel
A letter of introduction from OMNI College: When entering into Canada, you will need a letter of introduction from OMNI College. You can request this letter from your Overseas Coordinator or Student Success Advisor before you travel. Make sure you are able to print a copy of this letter to carry with you and present to border officials upon arrival.
Before you travel to Canada, make sure to:
- Share your correct contact details with your Student Success Advisor as well to ensure we can reach you upon arrival to Canada.
- Purchase adequate private medical insurance before travel. After 3 months in BC, you will be required to register for the BC Medical Service Plan (MSP). You may purchase your own private medical insurance, or your Student Success Advisor will help you register through OMNI’s student medical insurance plan.
- Print the letter from OMNI College as noted above.
If you experience any symptoms of COVID-19, do NOT travel to Canada.
During Travel to Canada:
- Keep a record of phone numbers handy just in case:
- OMNI College (604) 279-1800, or email [email protected]
- Your accommodation location phone number
- Friends or family you may know in the local area
- HealthlinkBC provides 24/7 health advice: dial 8-1-1 from any phone once in Canada
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