COVID-19 Update: Jan. 24, 2022
The following updates are provided by the Return-to-Campuses steering committee.
Mask availability
At minimum, students, faculty and staff are now required to wear a medical-style mask at U of G locations. Cloth masks are not considered acceptable at this time.
While the University community transitions to this new requirement, a limited quantity of medical masks will be available for students, faculty and staff should they come to campus without one.
Medical masks are available for purchase from the University Bookstore at cost.
Departments and units can source medical masks from the Stockroom and arrange distribution to meet their area’s needs.
Enforcing the vaccine mandate to keep our campus safe
To better protect our community, the University is taking additional measures to help ensure compliance with U of G’s vaccine mandate.
For students: As of Jan. 31, when a student uses their central login credentials on campus, we will check for compliance with U of G’s COVID-19 Vaccination Policy. If the student is not in compliance, progressive compliance measures will be taken. Individuals are considered in compliance with the vaccine mandate if they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have an approved exemption and are taking part in rapid testing. Non-compliant students remain eligible to access Student Health Services on campus.
Only students who are fully vaccinated or who have received an approved exemption are registered for in-person courses for the winter 2022 semester. Non-compliant students who are registered in Distance Education, hybrid and remote courses may continue their learning in these course formats.
For faculty and staff: Employees who are not in compliance with the vaccine mandate will be placed on an unpaid leave until they comply with the University’s mandatory vaccination requirements.
COVID-19 town hall
Join the University’s executive team and President Charlotte Yates at a Town Hall this Thursday to talk about what is next for U of G as we navigate COVID-19 together.
We will be joined by Dr. Nicola Mercer, medical officer of health and CEO of Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health, who can answer your questions about COVID-19.
Thursday, January 27
Noon to 1:15 p.m.
Join online: Microsoft Teams Live
Submit questions in advance: uoguel.ph/townhallquestions
To help make the most of this session, you are encouraged to submit your questions before the town hall. There will also be an opportunity to submit questions through Teams during the event.
Athletics Centre and on-campus restaurants set to reopen
COVID-19 restrictions in Ontario will begin to loosen on Jan. 31. At U of G, Gryphon Athletics facilities will reopen Jan. 31 with a 50-per-cent capacity limit. Learn more about COVID-19 safety protocols in our athletic facilities on the Gryphon Athletics website.
If you’re looking for a bite to eat on campus, check out these options:
- Brass Taps reopens for take-out and limited in-person dining Jan. 26
- Additional Hospitality Services outlets open Jan. 31 with seating at 50 per cent
- The Bullring reopens Jan. 31
- The Lookout Patio + Grad Lounge reopens Feb. 1
On-campus vaccination clinic wraps up
After vaccinating more than 9,000 people in less than a month, the on-campus COVID-19 vaccination clinic in the W.F. Mitchell gym closed Jan. 21. Thank you to all the U of G and community volunteers who helped make this clinic a success!
COVID-19 vaccinations will continue to be offered to faculty, staff and students on campus through Student Health Services.
The University’s COVID-19 website is your best source of information on U of G’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Return to Campuses website provides essential information for those coming to campus. If you need to be on campus, make sure you complete the U of G COVID-19 Screening Form every day before you arrive.