Health and safety

On this page:

COVID-19 hotline

Call the University’s COVID hotline, 1-833-UW-COV19 (1-833-892-6819), for support if you test positive for COVID-19, experience symptoms or think you may need to quarantine or get tested.

Health Services staff will be available at the hotline number from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from Monday to Friday.

Outside of these hours, including weekends, you can submit your questions through a web form, which will be available on the Health Services website. You can expect to hear back within 24 hours.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency services.

On-campus COVID-19 testing centre

The Health Services COVID-19 Testing Assessment Centre is open to University of Waterloo students, employees, postdocs and their family members who live in the same household. 

When should I get tested?

In response to the high demand for testing, the Province of Ontario recently announced new criteria for getting tested. 

If you are showing COVID-19 symptoms, or your public health unit or the COVID Alert app notifies you that you have been exposed to a confirmed case of the virus, book an appointment to be tested.

How do I make an appointment for testing?

Testing is by appointment only. You do not need a doctor’s referral to get tested.

To make an appointment:

  • Complete this online COVID-19 Assessment Registration Form.
  • Once registered online, you will be contacted with an appointment date and time. Appointment times will be from Monday to Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.


Mandatory safety precautions

If you are coming to campus, please take precautions to help limit the spread of COVID-19: 

  • Complete the COVID-19 screening questions using the Campus Check-In Tool before arriving on campus each day.
  • Ensure all visits to campus buildings and self-assessment verifications are recorded using Campus Check-in.
  • Wear a face mask when you’re in common areas of buildings or in any area where physical distancing is a challenge.
  • Maintain a 2 m distance from others at all times and follow the posted signage.
  • When visiting campus and using any University facilities, be sure to observe public health guidance, the safety protocols we have issued to date, as well as any additional expectations for the particular space you are using. For example:
    • Instructors will go over specific expectations in the classroom or lab.
    • When using study spaces, you must maintain 2 metres distance from others at all times. These rules apply to everyone using the space, even if you are studying with roommates or anyone in your “social bubble.”
    • Common areas may have designated seating or capacity limits. Follow the guidance on the posted signs.
  • If a student fails to follow University health and safety guidelines or public health regulations, they may be guilty of a non-academic offence under Policy 71 – Student Discipline and face disciplinary action.


Health and safety guide

The health and safety guide includes important health and safety information for employees returning to campus. It will help the University of Waterloo community manage the risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic as we plan for a gradual and safe return to campus.

  • Supervisors, managers, and directors: use this information to help minimize the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases in your workspaces.
  • Employees: find health and safety guidance to apply to your work environment

It is important that we all diligently follow these guidelines to minimize the risk of spreading of the virus.

This guide covers roles and responsibilities of supervisors and employees, instructions and tips for maintaining a healthy campus, and information about group protective equipment (GPE) or personal protective equipment (PPE) to be used on campus.


COVID Alert App logoCanada'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.


Help is available

At Waterloo, we value each other as individuals. We all belong here. Fostering our spirit of genuine care and concern is so important at a time when many people are feeling scared or nervous about the coronavirus outbreak. We must show empathy and concern for people in our community who are affected by the virus.

Students: We understand that many of our students have family members in areas affected by COVID-19. If you feel overwhelmed or anxious and need to talk to somebody, please contact the University’s Campus Wellness services, either Health or Counselling Services.

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.