This update is provided for archival purposes only.
Public Health guidance and University of Waterloo operations may have changed. For the most up-to-date information, please visit our COVID-19 frequently asked questions.
Yesterday, the Government of Ontario announced steps to cautiously and gradually ease public health measures. The evidence shows that our collective efforts to reduce the transmission of Omicron are having an effect and we can continue our cautious return to in-person experiences.
For the University, the announcement means that we will continue to deliver essential in-person teaching and learning as we have done since January 4, and we will gradually transition to full in-person experiences with most in-person instruction starting on February 7.
We will extend the current remote learning and working arrangements for a short period, but we plan to return to in-person experiences in February. We will return as soon as it is practical to do so based on advice from public health officials. In the meantime, as previously announced, we continue to provide essential in person teaching.
On December 30, 2021, the Government of Ontario made changes to PCR testing eligibility and case and contact management guidance. These changes, made to help the province effectively manage the impact of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, mean that we are making changes to the protocols for what the University community needs to do if you think you have been exposed to COVID-19.
As we begin the winter term amidst a changing Omicron landscape, I am providing an update to University research operations and travel guidance.
There are few updates and changes from our current framework of research activities, initiated in mid-December. The changes identified below help us minimize disruptions to research activities as much as possible. These measures rely on our collective efforts to make appropriate decisions to minimize the risk of transmission so that we can continue to ensure the safety of our community, and so that further protocols are not required to navigate the current phase of the pandemic.
Welcome to another non-traditional start to the New Year. While the break may not have been all that we wished for, we do hope that you had some time to rest, recharge and connect with family and friends.
Earlier this week, the Government of Ontario announced that it would move to a modified version of Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen starting today. At the University, we are already well positioned to manage this change to Ontario’s public health protection measures.
