The University of Guelph continues to closely monitor the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in coordination with federal, provincial and local health and emergency preparedness organizations.
There are no confirmed or presumptive cases of 2019 novel coronavirus disease on any U of G campuses or research stations. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has assessed the current public health risk associated with COVID-19 as low for the general population in Canada.
All U of G operations including classes, events and activities are continuing. However, this is an evolving situation. Any changes affecting the University’s academic or operational functions will be communicated on U of G’s COVID-19 website and through the University’s other web pages and social media channels.
The University takes the COVID-19 pandemic very seriously. The safety of our U of G community is our top priority. Please do your best to keep yourself healthy and to keep the virus off our campuses. The University has a robust pandemic plan and has developed continuity plans to maintain academic and administrative operations should a local outbreak occur.
What’s New:
The University has implemented travel restrictions to areas where the Government of Canada has issued travel advisories due to COVID-19.
Outbound Travel Cancellations
All travel to countries under an “avoid non-essential travel” or “avoid all travel” government advisory due to COVID-19 that is funded or sponsored by the University must be postponed/cancelled. This applies to faculty, staff, students and researchers, and includes international exchanges and placements. Currently, those countries are Italy, China and Iran. Information about travel expense reimbursement is available on the COVID-19 web page. The Public Health Agency of Canada recommends that Canadians avoid all cruise ship travel due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Outbound Travel Monitoring
All non-essential travel outside of Canada is at the discretion of the individual. When making decisions about travel, please follow PHAC’s guidelines and consider the risk of COVID-19. It is the traveller’s responsibility to monitor travel advisories and obtain appropriate authorization, where required, before booking new travel.
Check the government’s web site to monitor developments including changes to government travel advisories.
Incoming/Returning Travellers
If you have travelled abroad or arrived from outside Canada, whether for business or personal reasons, it is important to monitor your health once in Canada.
If you have travelled to Hubei province in China, Italy or to Iran in the last 14 days, you must follow Public Health’s recommendation of self-isolating for 14 days, starting the day you arrive in Canada. Monitor for fever, cough and difficulty breathing, and report any symptoms to Public Health. The same 14-day isolation period applies to those returning from cruise travel.
People arriving or returning from any other countries should monitor themselves for symptoms. Should any symptoms appear, please self-isolate for 14 days and call your health-care provider.
Ongoing Prevention, Planning
Our COVID-19 Contingency Planning Committee meets daily to discuss possible scenarios and how the University will address them, as well as how to communicate information with our community.
Medical professionals leading U of G’s Health Services communicate continuously with Public Health, campus experts and others. If medical and public health guidance received by U of G changes, the University will communicate that information and take all necessary steps.
The most important steps that U of G community members can take to remain healthy are outlined on U of G’s COVID-19 web page. The University has increased its cleaning of high-traffic areas. Soap and hand sanitizer dispensers across campus will be monitored and filled regularly.
U of G recognizes that reports of the impacts of COVID-19 in Canada and around the world can be very troubling, especially for members of our community with personal ties to affected areas. U of G students, faculty and staff may avail themselves of University supports and resources, including the following:
- Student Counselling Services, Ext. 53244
- Multi-Faith Resource Team, Ext. 58909
- Employee assistance program for faculty and staff, 1-800-265-8310
- Crisis Text Line, text “UofG” to 686868
- International Student Adviser, Ext. 58698
Once again, updates and more information will be provided as we continue to monitor the situation closely.