University of Waterloo information on COVID-19

Last updated: November 23, 2020, 4:00 p.m.
For complete details of recent announcements and previous updates visit our COVID-19 News page.

Latest updates

November 23: COVID-19 "red zone" updates to campus operations
- Waterloo Region has moved into the “red zone” of the Province’s COVID-19 response framework, which means we need to change access to some facilities on campus.
- Classes, labs and research operations will continue as they have been.
- Travel between regions of the province should be limited to essential purposes. Classes and work are considered essential purposes.
- Read memos from the director of safety, Kate Windsor, for students and employees.
November 17: Outbreak at Claudette Millar Hall officially declared over
- Region of Waterloo Public Health and Emergency Services has declared the outbreak at Claudette Millar Hall officially over. It will be removed from their dashboard of active outbreaks.
November 16: Winter 2021 academic schedule changes
- Winter term classes will begin January 11. All other winter term activities will begin as scheduled on January 4.
- Classes will be cancelled on March 15 and 16 to create a four-day weekend from March 13 to 16.
- Read President Hamdullahpur's messages to students and employees
- Check our academic information page regularly for the latest updates.
November 13: New COVID-19 hotline for students who test positive
- Read President Hamdullahpur's messages to students and employees
- Review our COVID-19 health protocols

The University of Waterloo continues to implement plans and protocols to safely restart campus activities, following public health advice and best practices.

Many buildings have reopened on campus with modified hours for fall term. Find out what’s open and see our list of building and service availability.

Undergraduate students

Funding and fee information
Waterloo Residence information
Food Services information
Library information
Go to the undergraduate students' modified services page for information on other services
All international students must fill in the Iinternational Student Travel Plans and Quarantine Form

Graduate students

Employees

Important links

Canada's COVID Alert App

The Government of Canada launched a national, voluntary app that will notify users if they may have been exposed to COVID-19. The app is available for free to Canadians and can be downloaded through the App or Google Play stores.
The COVID Alert app incorporates exposure notification technology provided by Apple and Google and does not collect personally identifiable information.
The more people using the COVID Alert app, the more effective this tool will be in helping limit the spread of COVID-19.
Learn more.

Public health

Travel advice

University resources

Community resources

Summary of phased return

Phase 1: Essential employees (March to June 2020)

Students

Spring term courses are fully online.

Academic faculty and instructors

Working remotely for the Spring term.

Researchers (including graduate student researchers)

Laboratory research personnel will be working in a limited capacity for critical and COVID-related research.

Library operations will be limited to digital access.

Staff

Employees essential to maintain and continue University operations and infrastructure will work on campus in physically-distant settings.

All other staff will work remotely.

Phase 2: Research ramp-up (July to August 2020)

Students

Spring term courses continue fully online.

Academic faculty and instructors

Some faculty and instructors may be able to return to campus for physically-distanced work activity.

Researchers (including graduate student researchers)

Safe, staged restarting of on-campus lab research.

Library operations expand to curbside pickup for faculty, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.

Staff

Some staff may be able to return to campus for physically-distanced work activity.

Phase 3: Selective expansion (August 2020 to May 2021)

Students

Fall term courses will mostly be online, with some course activity in-person.

Some supports and facilities will be available on campus.

Academic faculty and instructors

More employees may be able to return to campus.

Faculty departments will use University health and safety guidelines to guide this process.

Researchers (including graduate student researchers)

Safe, staged restarting of research with human participants.

Majority of research activities will likely operational.

Staff

More employees may be able to return to campus.

Departments will use University health and safety guidelines to guide this process.

Phase 4: The next normal (TBD)

The campus environment will evolve to support learning, teaching, and research, but will continue to follow the latest public health and government guidance

Please visit or call Health Services (519-884-4096), drop by the Counselling Services office in Needles Hall North, 2nd Floor or phone 519-888-4567 ext. 32655. Visit the Campus Wellness page for hours of operation and additional information. Campus Wellness services are provided at no charge in a private and confidential setting to University of Waterloo students who are currently registered or on a co-op term.

Employees: Our Employee and Family Assistance Program is available 24/7 for counselling, coaching and support. Call 1-800-663-1142 or visit Homeweb.ca.