Do your part: stay home and stay safe

This message was originally sent to undergraduate student by president and vice-chancellor Feridun Hamdullahpur.

• New government rules mean that if you must come to campus, only do what you need to and return home as soon as possible.
• We encourage you to wear a mask at all times in public places.

Yesterday, the Government of Ontario issued a new state of emergency and stay-at-home orders to help deal with the spread of COVID-19. These ongoing changes related to the pandemic are challenging. Please remember that Warriors protect Warriors and we’re all in this together. Help is available.

Instructions from the government mean that you should only come to campus if absolutely necessary. If you must come to campus, only do what you need to and get home as soon as possible. You can come to campus for daily exercise such as walking, but you should not be using any part of campus for drop-in study.

Your instructors will let you know if there are any changes to your classes. In most cases, our plans to deal with the lockdown in our region from December remain in effect.

Our student residences will remain open as normal. If you live in residence, you must wear a mask in all common areas, but are not required to in your private living area.

Please do your part to stop the spread

Please, only leave home for the most important things like grocery shopping or medical appointments. Wherever you are, ensure that you follow the guidelines for mask wearing and distancing. If you are  in a public place:

• wear a mask,
• keep a two-metre distance from others, and
• wash your hands frequently.

Though I know it is a difficult time, I implore you all to avoid any gatherings with people you don’t live with.

I know we are all tired of the changing conditions, rules and of being confined to our homes. We will only get through this if we look out for one another and do our part to stay home and stay safe.

Thank you for everything you are doing to keep our community safe.