Holland College classes at all locations will be suspended effective March 16 to March 20 to allow faculty and staff time to develop alternate delivery methods (primarily distance). Classes will resume on March 23 using alternate delivery methods for the remainder of the term. Staff and faculty are to report to work as usual. Student practicums and on-the-job training placements are not affected by this announcement, nor are Holland College’s distance programs.

All Holland College buildings (library, residence, Credit Union Café, etc.) will be open for students and staff, but not the general public. The college is encouraging staff and students to maintain good social hygiene as suggested by the Chief Public Health Officer.

Students living in residences who would like to return home have been encouraged to do so, but the residences will remain open.

The Holland College Early Years Centre will close on Tuesday in accordance with the instructions of the Chief Public Health Officer and Province of PEI. The Culinary Institute of Canada’s food services: The Dining Room, The Marché, and The Grab & Go, are closed for the remainder of the term. All Holland College special events and all out of province staff travel has been cancelled.

Holland College president Alexander (Sandy) MacDonald announced the suspension in an email to all staff and students.

“I assure you that the college is taking these measures to help ensure the well-being of our students, staff, and our Island community,” he said. “We can all play a part in the attempt to flatten the curve of the COVID-19 virus.”

The college will continue to monitor the situation and will issue updates as required on the college’s website, through news releases and social media accounts, on the HC Safe app, and to all staff and students via email.