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.

COVID-19 “red zone” updates to campus operations

Monday, November 23, 2020

This message was originally sent to employees by the director of safety, Kate Windsor.

  • Waterloo Region has moved into the “red zone” of the Province’s COVID-19 response framework, which means we need to make some changes to some facilities on campus.
  • If you are responsible for operational safety plans, you should plan and prepare for an eventual move to the lockdown category

As of today, Waterloo Region officially moved into the “red zone” of the Province of Ontario’s COVID-19 response framework.

Being in this red or “control” zone means some changes to campus operations. In-person classes, labs, research, and other operations will continue as they have been.

  • Dining areas
    • Seating in dining areas will be limited.
    • Most dining in Claudette Millar Hall (CMH) will now be take out.
  • Athletics and Recreation facilities
    • We will be limiting the number of people who can use facilities at the same time.
    • Contact is not allowed in any sport environment. Team sports will not be played or practiced, except for individual skill development.
  • Travel between regions of the province, especially from areas in red or lockdown status, should be limited to essential purposes. Work and classes are considered essential purposes. However, managers may want to assess individual cases within their teams.

Preparing for potential lockdown and other scenarios

As we continue our efforts to prevent COVID-19 on campus, the University is also prepared to effectively deal with cases of the virus in various scenarios. We have protocols in place to address individual cases of COVID-19, outbreaks and scaling back campus operations.

We will continue to adapt to any new guidance from the Province of Ontario and public health authorities. Department heads, managers, instructors and others responsible for operational safety plans should be prepared for what an eventual shift to the “grey” or lockdown category of the Province’s framework might mean for your area and plan accordingly.

The Safety Office is working on what a lockdown would mean for classes and labs, and we will provide further guidance to affected groups later in the week.

If you have any questions, contact coronavirus@uwaterloo.ca.