COVID-19 Symptoms FAQ

Remind students that they should not to come to class if they have cold, flu, or COVID-19 related symptoms. Let them know that if they do, you will ask them to leave. Refer students to Shared Health for further guidance.

Advise them to complete the Shared Health Screening Tool and call Health Links (204.788.8200 or toll-free at 1.888.315.9257) for guidance. They should follow the process recommended by Shared Health.

Students should stay home while symptomatic, regardless of a negative COVID-19 test, and not attend classes until their symptoms have dissipated for 24 hours and/or Shared Health recommends that they are able to return to class.

In a respectful way, maintaining confidentiality as much as possible, ask the student to leave the class and direct them to the campus nurse and/or Shared Health and/or their physician. Remind the student that they should refrain from taking public transportation.

Notify Accessibility Services (accessibility@uwinnipeg.ca or 204.786.9771) immediately after the class. They will contact the student to check on them, refer them to Shared Health and other resources.

If a student repeatedly comes to campus with symptoms of COVID-19, a complaint can be made to the Registrar under the non-academic misconduct policy and the processes under this policy will be followed.

While taking the student’s privacy into consideration, Accessibility Services should be informed so they can contact the student to check on them, refer them to Shared Health and other resources.

Tell them to seek guidance from Shared Health on whether they need to self-isolate (quarantine). They may be exempt from needing to self-isolate and may still be able to attend classes, provided:

• They have no symptoms and it has been more than 14 days since their 2nd dose
• They do not have a medical condition that could compromise vaccine effectiveness
• They have no symptoms and were previously infected with COVID-19 in the last 6 months.

Individuals should still monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days following any exposure, and isolate themselves immediately if they are symptomatic.

Presently, anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 is eligible for testing. Only symptomatic individuals or those advised by public health should visit a COVID-19 testing site. 

It is the student’s responsibility to request your assistance in managing their absence, seeking extensions, additional opportunities to write tests, etc.

We have an obligation to support and assist students who are missing classes due to COVID-19 both for the student’s benefit and also out of the concern for others should they return prematurely.

If you are not able to adequately assist the student, Accessibly Services can refer students to Academic and Career Services for advocacy and information on academic appeals processes. Formal appeals should be a last resort.

The University will be as flexible as possible in meeting the students’ needs. Students will be referred to Academic and Career Services to discuss their options and receive assistance in either seeking extensions and deferred exams, or withdrawing with a pro-rated medical refund.

Academic Advisors have the discretion to backdate withdrawals and arrange for refunds to minimize academic appeals and financial appeals.

Supervisors, managers, and directors are encouraged to remind their team not to work on-campus if they develop symptoms of COVID-19, including: 

• Fever/chills
• Cough
• Sore throat/hoarse voice
• Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
• Loss of taste or smell
• Vomiting or diarrhea for more than 24 hours
• Runny nose
• Muscle aches
• Fatigue
• Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
• Headache
• Skin rash of unknown cause
• Nausea or loss of appetite

Supervisors/managers should encourage the employee to complete the Shared Health Screening Tool and call Health Links (204.788.8200 or toll-free at 1.888.315.9257) for guidance. 

Employees should follow the Province of Manitoba recommendations for isolation.

Please note that if the rapid antigen test result is negative, the employee should still follow the isolation recommendations if they have symptoms. 

If the employee requires more than 5 sick days, they will be required to provide a medical note to the Employee Health and Wellness Specialist. It is not necessary to have a negative test prior to returning to campus. 

The employee should stay in regular contact with their supervisor/manager about whether they are well enough to work. If they feel well enough and if the operational requirements of their job allow it, they may work from home during their isolation period. 

Please refer to the COVID-19 Procedures for Sick Employees.

Follow the Province of Manitoba recommendations for isolation. 

Please note that if the employee does not have symptoms and has not tested positive for COVID-19, they can attend work on campus. However, it is recommended employees who have had a close contact perform rapid antigen tests every 24 hours prior to attending work. It is also recommended that the employee self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days.