Questions?
Please email coronavirus@uwaterloo.ca.
In keeping with current provincial and local public health recommendations and on the basis of current local public health conditions, our vaccination and face covering requirements remain suspended.
As has been the case throughout the pandemic, the evolution of the virus and the course of disease activity are difficult to predict. Decisions about the safety of our campus are contingent on current public health conditions and directions continuing. If the situation changes, it may become necessary to bring back requirements for masking and proof of vaccination on short notice based on an assessment of risk under Policy #34 – Health, Safety & Environment.
The following precautions will remain in place:
You must not attend campus if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or you are required to isolate.
To help you decide if you should isolate, you can use the provincial self-assessment tool. Signage and daily emails remind individuals to complete screening before coming to our campuses
Follow the applicable COVID-19 recommendations for students and employees.
Our mask requirement has been suspended. Though the trends right now allow us to remove the requirement for everyone to wear a mask, we encourage you to continue to wear a tight-fitting, well-constructed mask if you feel it is the right choice for you, in any setting (and especially in large gatherings).
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.
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.
Physical distancing or capacity limits are not required under current public health guidance. However, physical distancing continues to be an effective method of reducing risk of transmission and we recommended you continue to physically distance when possible.
We will continue with enhanced cleaning protocols for high contact touch points, including classrooms, classroom equipment, door handles, elevator buttons, handrails, washroom faucets, water fountains, garbage receptacles, and more. Environmental Services staff will clean these common high touch contact points in line with the current recommendations of public health authorities.
Staff and faculty are responsible for cleaning their own equipment including workstations, keyboards, phones, office equipment, lab equipment, and other shared equipment. Supervisors must implement protocols for the cleaning of shared tools, equipment, and vehicles. Supervisors can purchase cleaning and disinfecting products through Plant Operations.
Good hand hygiene must continue to be practiced and can be achieved through frequent handwashing or the use of an alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR). Hand hygiene bottles/stations should be provided by departments in all office and customer service areas and are located at building entrances.
Enhanced air filtration in campus buildings will be maintained for the foreseeable future.
These enhancements include:
If your unit would like to order signs that encourage booster doses or masks, you can find them under the “order online” function through Print + Retail Solutions. Any issues ordering, please email wprint@uwaterloo.ca.
Barriers or shields are not required, however may be considered to reduce risk in open-plan offices or customer service areas where staff, students and customers may find themselves near one another. These barriers can provide protection during interactions in addition to simultaneously enabling clear and unobstructed lines of sight. Plexi-glass barriers that are already installed should be maintained where it is feasible.
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.