COVID-19 Information and Updates

Frequently Asked Questions

The health and safety of students, staff and faculty, and the public are the first priority for NSCAD University’s decisions and actions throughout the global COVID-19 pandemic.

As we welcome new and returning students to NSCAD’s Summer 2021 semester, we remind everyone that our campus operations, course delivery and social activities will look different this year to meet the requirements of the latest NS Public Health directives.

Nova Scotia COVID-19 restriction updates

As measures to help contain the spread of COVID-19 gradually change, everyone must continue to follow public health directives for gathering and social distancing.

All students coming to Nova Scotia from outside Atlantic Canada are required to:

• complete the Nova Scotia Safe Check-in online form before arriving
• self-isolate for 14-days after arriving following Nova Scotia’s new self-isolation rules

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These students should also get one (1) COVID-19 test on day 6, 7 or 8 of their self-isolation. Please book your appointment up to three days in advance by completing the COVID-19 self-assessment. If you need help with transportation to/from you testing appointment, please call 1-844-996-0694.

As of February 22, 2021, all international students planning to travel to Canada to attend classes at a post secondary institution will be required to complete additional testing and more stringent quarantine requirements.

• travellers entering Canada at the land border will be required to take a COVID-19 molecular test on arrival as well as toward the end of their 14-day quarantine
• air travellers entering Canada will be required to take a COVID-19 molecular test when they arrive in the country before exiting the airport, and another toward the end of their 14-day quarantine period. Air travellers will also be required to reserve (prior to departure to Canada) a three (3)-night stay in a government-authorized hotel and must stay at their reserved hotel for up to three (3) nights, at their own cost, while they await the results of their arrival test.

When international students finish their three-night quarantine after arriving in Canada, they must complete their quarantine period after arriving in Nova Scotia for a total of 14 continuous days of quarantine in Canada (they don’t have to restart the quarantine period). After 14 continuous days, they can leave quarantine.

Read more details in the Government of Canada announcement and backgrounder.

Protecting yourself and the NSCAD community

Following the province’s July 31, 2020 directive, NSCAD requires the use of non-medical masks or face coverings in all indoor common spaces on our campuses to prevent the potential spread of COVID-19.

In addition to wearing a mask, the best way to protect yourself and others is to always practice social distancing and follow these health guidelines:

• wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds using soap and water  or a 60-90% alcohol-based hand hand sanitizer.
• do not touch your eyes/nose/mouth with unwashed hands.
• when you sneeze or cough, cover your mouth and nose with a disposable tissue or the crease of your elbow, and then wash your hands.
• avoid close contact with people and gatherings larger than provincial directives.
• stay home to avoid spreading the illness to others.

If you are ill, have symptoms of flu like a fever or cough, you and everyone in your household must self-isolate in your home for 14 days

All communications distributed by NSCAD work to support our community and follow direction from government and health authorities. Visit this page regularly for updates on NSCAD’s response to the pandemic.

Since February 10, 2020, NSCAD’s Crisis Management Committee has planned for, and responded to, the pandemic as it evolves, following direction from Nova Scotia Public Health Authority, the province’s Chief Medical Officer of Health and Nova Scotia Labour and Advanced Education.

NSCAD’s COVID-19 Campus Response Plan

Do you have questions? Send them to communications@nscad.ca and we’ll post our response in the FAQs.