Questions?
Please email coronavirus@uwaterloo.ca.
On this page, answers to questions about:
If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or think you were exposed to the virus you should complete the Ontario self-assessment to get advice on what to do and whether you should stay home.
If you live in residences:
If you think you will miss classes, due dates or exams due to COVID:
You do not need to inform Occupational Health if you develop symptoms, are told you need to self-isolate, or test positive for COVID-19. If you need to be off work due to COVID-19 related illness, please notify your supervisor and record any sick days in Workday.
No. Experts agree a that getting booster doses of a COVID-19 vaccination as you are eligible is important because vaccination continues to offer the best protection against the severe illness, hospitalization and death. Up to date vaccinations also reduce your risk of infection. You can book your booster dose on the provincial vaccination portal or by booking with Campus Wellness. We are no longer collecting information on vaccination status. The School of Pharmacy provides clear advice and FAQs on boosters.
A vaccine centre is available at Health Services to all students, employees, and family members of students and employees (18 years of age or older).
You must be COVID-19 symptom-free to attend a clinic to be vaccinated. Students, employees, and family members of students and employees are eligible to receive this vaccine. The vaccine centre offers the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.
If you are unsure of your vaccination status because you either obtained a vaccine in another country/province, or you are unsure if you are able to receive a vaccine, please contact Region of Waterloo Public Health at 519-575 4400.
Waterloo’s campuses have 100 major buildings with 398 HVAC units, supporting a variety of research, teaching and staff and student activities. Since November 2020, every building has been retrofitted to accommodate MERV13 filters. MERV13 filters are recommended by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers and over the pandemic have become standard across the industry because they are more effective at filtering small droplets and particles that travel through the air (at least 85 per cent efficient at capturing particles in the 1 µm to 3 µm size range).
Plant Operations has a cleaning schedule available on their website. Further questions regarding cleaning should be directed to Plant Operations.
Waterloo Ready will help guide you through every step over the next few months and into your first year as a Waterloo Warrior. It’s an initiative to help you to make personal connections with other students, get insider tips, and learn about how to successfully navigate your first year.
Waterloo Grad Ready program is designed especially for master’s and doctoral students. The program will connect you to other graduate students, support you along your academic journey to Waterloo and make sure you’re keeping up to date with important deadlines.
If you are struggling with your mental health during these changing times, reach out for support through Human Resources, Occupational Health, Here247 and Wellness Together Canada.
Mental Health at Work and Canadian Mental Health Association can help you transition back to your workplace.
Ongoing employees can access supports through Homewood Health, the University’s Employee and Family Assistance Program partner or at 1-800-663-1142. Topics include managing stress and anxiety, building resilience, dealing with financial stress, work life balance and more.
Approvals have returned to pre-pandemic approval arrangements.
If you are fully vaccinated and you can meet certain travel safety requirements, you may resume international travel for University of Waterloo related business, research, work terms, study, and co-curricular activities. There are three requirements for students: obtain approval, register travel, and complete the pre-departure and travel risk mitigation activities.
The process for faculty and staff international travel is different now than before the pandemic began. There are two requirements for faculty and staff: register travel outside of the United States and complete the pre-departure and travel risk mitigation activities.
We want to make sure that any University-related travel you do is safe and that you have support where it is needed. Review the process on the Safety Abroad webpage and contact safetyabroad@uwaterloo.ca for assistance or with questions.
For most instructors in most courses, their plans for accommodation due to students self-isolating will be similar to the accommodation that would be provided to students who have to miss some classes due to illness, family emergency, etc. Waterloo instructors routinely show compassion and provide means for such students to succeed in their courses when these events beyond their control happen to them.
Students needing to self-isolate can use the Illness/Isolation Declaration form in Quest and make arrangements with their instructor.
Generally no, unless the situation is found to be high risk for the instructor or other students in the class.
If any changes to academic or other programming, or to any campus operations are required, the University will work to identify where those changes will occur, including consulting with local Public Health.
You do not need to notify your class about cases. Public Health Ontario no longer requires this type of notification in the current context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Your faculty website will offer a variety of supports available to you as a student regardless of where you are studying. Check your faculty’s website for more information and updates to services.
The International Student Guide shares relevant information for international students in regards to: academic supports, getting involved, and health and wellness.
The International Peer Community supports undergraduate and graduate students in adjusting to life at UWaterloo.
For undergraduate students looking to connect with clubs and societies, the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA) is offering many of its clubs and services online.
For graduate students looking for support, the Graduate Student Association offers supports and services online.
UHIP has minimal coverage for emergency out of country medical treatment. We recommended that you purchase travel insurance for the duration of your stay in another country. Your Studentcare Health & Dental Plan has travel insurance coverage, check your eligibility, limitations and if additional coverage is required.
If you suspect you’re ill, visit the Government of Ontario COVID-19 self-assessment website and follow the instructions.
UHIP will provide coverage for medical doctor appointments, hospital stays, diagnostic tests, etc. as it does for other illnesses. Note: The WUSA and GSA Health plans cover the costs of prescriptions.
If you’re unsure about your current UHIP coverage status, you can confirm by checking the termination date on your UHIP coverage card, or by e-mailing uhip@uwaterloo.ca.
Check the UHIP FAQs about COVID-19.
Please email coronavirus@uwaterloo.ca.
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within our Office of Indigenous Relations.