We all have a role to play in helping protect our community and reducing the spread of COVID-19. Follow the guidelines below to help keep yourself and others safe when you are on campus.

Our Response to Non-Compliance with COVID-19 Protocols Summary details how we will address breaches of federal, provincial and public health by-laws, controls and guidelines and U of G protocols regarding COVID-19.

On this page:

Vaccination

U of G strongly encourages everyone to stay up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations and booster doses. Learn more about vaccination at U of G.

When You or a Close Contact Are Sick

COVID-19 is highly transmissible – staying home when you are sick is essential to stopping the spread.

If you or a close contact are sick, follow the directions on the What to do when you are sick or have been exposed page of this site or call U of G’s COVID-19 call centre at 519-824-4120, Ext. 53906.

Masks

Wearing a mask is an easy way to help protect yourself and your community. This fall, when you are in high-density spaces like classes, labs, elevators and meeting rooms, you are strongly encouraged to wear a tight-fitting, multi-layer mask to help protect yourself and those around you. A medical-style mask is best. Individuals are required to wear a mask while in Student Health Services* in the Vaccarino Centre for Student Wellness, including in the waiting area and within the clinic itself.

As part of our culture of caring, there are a few areas on campus where masks are required, providing students with study spaces where they can feel comfortable that those around them will be masked. Learn more about these spaces on Spaces, Events and Services page. If you forget your mask, you can pick up one from the UAIC Desk in the University Centre or the Ask Us Desk in the library. Masks are also available for purchase from the Bookstore and Gryph’s Locker (in the Athletics Centre).

We will continue to monitor public health trends and evaluate the need for masking. The University may reinstate its masking requirement at any time and with little notice. Any updates on our masking requirement will be shared as they become available.

Remember, if you’re sick, stay home!

*Individuals are required to wear a mask while in Health Services, including in the waiting area and within the clinic itself. Staff working independently and not providing direct care may remove their masks if they wish.”

Clean Your Hands

Washing your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds using soap and water is an important way you can protect yourself from COVID-19. If you can’t access soap and water, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60 per cent alcohol base.

Physical Resources will install and maintain hand sanitizer dispensers around building entrances, washrooms, classrooms and elevators.

Cover Your Coughs and Sneezes

Cough or sneeze into your bent elbow or into a tissue that you throw away immediately. Don’t forget to wash your hands!

Ventilation

U of G continues to maintain high-quality ventilation standards.  Visit Building Readiness and Ventilation on the Physical Resources website for more information on current ventilation measures

Wastewater Testing

Since October 2020, U of G researchers have been sampling wastewater from U of G on-campus residences. This sampling looks for RNA fragments of the COVID-19 virus. This testing can give us information before people show symptoms of COVID-19 so we can respond appropriately. Sampling is conducted in all student residence wastewater, seven days a week.

Rapid Testing

U of G, including the Ridgetown Campus, uses University-provided rapid antigen tests to respond to potential high-risk exposures in specific settings that the University has assessed as high-risk (e.g., rapid tests may be provided if there was a risk of exposure due to close proximity in a workspace or residence).

Call Centre

The U of G COVID-19 call centre helps support students, faculty and staff who contract COVID-19 and can answer COVID-19 questions and concerns. You can reach the call centre at 519-824-4120, Ext. 53906 or email covid.calls@uoguelph.ca.

Self-Declaration

U of G has self-declaration forms that students, faculty and staff should complete when they have symptoms of COVID-19 . After completing the form, community members will be connected with supports from Student Health Services or Occupational Health and Wellness.

Managing Positive Cases and Outbreaks

Our call centre and self-declaration forms help the University manage positive COVID-19 cases on campus and prevent outbreaks.

COVID-19 Guidelines from Environmental Health and Safety

U of G’s Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) team has created a number of resources to support safe learning and work on campus. Visit the EHS Guidelines under COVID-19 section of the HR website for more information.