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.

News for Instructors

Thursday, January 5, 2023

Winter term: masks strongly recommended but optional

Update for the UWaterloo community

While COVID-19, influenza and other respiratory illnesses continue to circulate in our community, there is now less risk of disruption to our academic activities so a mask requirement will not continue. However, given the ongoing impact of these conditions for members of our community, we strongly encourage you to think of the people around you and help limit the spread of COVID by wearing a mask in indoor settings this term.  

Tuesday, November 8, 2022

Extra information on masking

Update for instructors

We have shared a message with everyone today confirming our decision to return to mask-wearing for any indoor activity that is part of academic course delivery. We’re making this change now to protect members of our community as the data trends point to increased levels of COVID and other airborne diseases in circulation. We also want to try to reduce the amount of disruption these trends could cause to the exam season.

Monday, August 22, 2022

Updating you on Fall health and safety

A message from Vivek Goel, President and Vice-Chancellor and James W.E. Rush, Vice-President, Academic & Provost.

In two weeks’ time we will begin a new academic year, welcoming new and returning students to our campuses. Over the summer we’ve kept up-to-date with the latest data from Ontario’s Science Table on COVID-19 and with colleagues in public health to inform our plans for the health and safety of our campuses this Fall.

Monday, June 20, 2022

Suspending our mask requirement after June 30

Today, we’re making the decision to suspend our mask requirement after June 30. In addition to the lifting of provincial and municipal mask requirements noted above, this decision is also consistent with a variety of indicators including campus data, case counts, test positivity rates, local hospitalization and wastewater data, and consulting public health guidance.

We’ve all seen the value of wearing a mask to help limit the spread of a variety of diseases from COVID-19 to the common cold. Wearing a mask is a good way to show you are being considerate of the people around you. Please respect the choices of others in our community who may wish to continue to wear a mask.

If you haven’t done so already, please make sure you keep your vaccination information current with Campus Checkin (https://campuscheckin.uwaterloo.ca).

Thursday, April 14, 2022

Face covering requirement extended until further notice

Update for the UWaterloo Community

Earlier this week we sent you an update about health and safety at the University for the spring term. We have previously announced that our plans to relax some of our requirements at the start of the spring term on May 1 were based on public health conditions.