Post-secondary schools feel COVID-19 testing would be hard to implement

BC’s post-secondary schools have taken different approaches to COVID-19, with some requiring rapid testing for unvaccinated people.

Dennis Johnson, President and CEO of CNC in Prince George said the college sector had a discussion with health authorities on the topic, and it was decided that it wasn’t necessary.

“Ten colleges that form the College Association, all without exception, agreed with the health authorities that this was not something we had to do and that even if we wanted to do it logistically there were a lot of issues and challenges.”

Johnson added that UBC is one of the institutions that has been trying to implement rapid testing as well as tracking both student and faculty vaccine status.

UNBC has gone the same route as CNC and has noted that they haven’t run into issues either.

CNC still requires the BC Vaccine Card for areas like the gym, fitness centre, and student housing.

“Post-secondary education from the beginning of the pandemic was considered essential, and so it is the discretionary, the non-essential activities, like going to a restaurant, like working out, going to a movie where the vaccine passport is required,” said Johnson.

In terms of monitoring for cases, there hasn’t been much information given about transmission at post-secondary schools, but Johnson said things are moving smoothly on campus.

“The vast majority of people in the CNC community, staff, students, and faculty have been very supportive of doing the right thing, wearing their masks, looking after each other.”