University Canada West will require everyone to wear masks when two campuses reopen this fall

A Vancouver-based private university has released a video showing how it plans to welcome students back this fall.

And it includes mandatory masks for everyone at its two campuses.

University Canada West said in a statement that students will first do "preparation work" via an online portal before attending classes.

“Since the onset of COVID‐19, the safety of our students, staff and faculty have been at the forefront of our response,” UCW president Brock Dykeman said in a statement. “We are planning to implement blended learning delivery for the fall term.”

The back-to-school plan also includes directional signs to help students, staff, and faculty maintain physical distancing at the Vancouver House and Pender campuses.

Protective barriers will be installed to separate students from staff. There will be limited seating capacity in classes. 

Another aspect involves the appointment of "student health ambassadors". They will encourage other students to maintain physical distancing while on campus.

All of these measures are in addition to frequent sanitizing of high-touch areas. Hand sanitizer stations will be placed in all common areas and at the entrances to classrooms.

University offers help to students who self-isolate

The plan was developed with input from public-health authorities and the provincial government. 

Students who can't attend classes in the fall will be able to continue their education online.

The university has also set aside $455,000 to assist international students who must self-isolate in hotels for 14 days upon their arrival in Canada from abroad. This means that each student in this situation will receive a $650 voucher and additional support.

Under phase three of B.C.'s Restart Plan, post-secondary institutions are permitted to deliver courses in a variety of ways, including online, as well as in-person "where health and safety permit".