Back-to-school season is right around the corner and post-secondary students are voicing their concerns over COVID-19 and vaccinations.

Students害羞草研究所� Union Okanagan of UBC (SUO) VP External Ahmed Ahmed said there have been several worries, especially since UBCO害羞草研究所檚 student population is diverse and comes from all over the world.

害羞草研究所淪ome of the concerns are that in Kelowna, there are increasing outbreaks and with the elevated restrictions, some students have some concerns about how UBCO would implement in-person classes,害羞草研究所� he said.

害羞草研究所淪ome of our students come from different countries that have different vaccines. Canada only approved four (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and COVISHIELD), but some of the students have taken other vaccines in their countries and they would need to have a quarantine plan here.害羞草研究所�

With classes starting up on Sept. 7, international students would have to arrive in Canada at least by the week of Aug. 22 to fulfill quarantine requirements.

But some countries still have travel restrictions and with flights from India being banned, Indian students may have a bit more of a hard time coming to Canada and attending in-person classes, Ahmed explained.

He added that while regional restrictions mean masks are required on campus, the SUO will still advocate for required masks in public indoor spaces when the restrictions ease to keep staff, faculty and students safe.

害羞草研究所淯BC has also been working closely with the government since the start of COVID to ensure that UBC is following the most recent guidelines given by Interior Health and the Syilx Nation,害羞草研究所� he said.

Besides all the work they have already done, they plan to do more.

害羞草研究所淲e will have pop-up vaccinations on campus, which is a good step for our international students to come to campus and receive the vaccine here. This way there are fewer barriers and we害羞草研究所檒l see a bigger percentage of vaccinated students,害羞草研究所� he said.

Though the date of the immunization clinics is still in the works, Ahmed said he害羞草研究所檚 hopeful September will see an increase in vaccination rates in the region as a result.

害羞草研究所淧ersonally, I害羞草研究所檓 an international student myself and I害羞草研究所檓 very excited for in-person learning. Talking to students on campus, everyone is excited for in-person learning despite the concerns,害羞草研究所� he said.

害羞草研究所淭he situation is changing a lot but we害羞草研究所檙e still excited. Student safety is our first priority, so we害羞草研究所檙e working hard to ensure a safe return to the campus.害羞草研究所�

Ahmed acknowledged that while in-person classes are important, equally integral to the student experience are the campus activities and clubs, which SUO is working on to make happen in a safe manner while still being open to Interior Health害羞草研究所檚 directives.

害羞草研究所淚t all depends on the restrictions and updates we get from Interior Health. We do have a limit on indoor gatherings, so that means our events and club days will have those changes too. All of those events and activities depend on what Interior Health says is safe.害羞草研究所�

READ MORE: Almost 1,700 COVID-19 cases in Central Okanagan outbreak

READ MORE: Influx of COVID-19 patients prompts Kelowna General Hospital to bump some surgeries

twila.amato@blackpress.ca
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