Staying safe over the holiday break

On Dec 4 the following email was sent to the graduate students

To: Graduate students

From: Feridun Hamdullahpur, president and vice-chancellor

Subject: Staying safe over the holiday break

• As you make your plans for the winter break, please follow government advice on how to stay safe this holiday season.
• The safest way to spend the holidays is by only celebrating in person with the people you live with and celebrating virtually with everyone else.
• If you must travel home for the holidays, reduce close contact with others 10 to 14 days before traveling. After the holiday break, do the same before coming back to Waterloo.
• Most academic and student service buildings will be locked beginning December 8 through to January 10, with some exceptions. Additionally, the University is closed from December 24 to January 3, and only essential personnel should be on campus during this time.

With the fall term ending soon, followed by the holidays, I hope you are preparing for a restful and safe break.

As you make your plans for the winter break, please follow government advice on how to stay safe this holiday season.

I understand the importance of celebrating the holidays with family and loved ones. In these unprecedented times, it is critical to do so safely, even if it means changing the way we celebrate. We must all do our part to stop the spread of COVID-19.

I encourage you to read the Province’s recent holiday guidelines in full, but here are some important highlights:

• No matter where you live in the province, the safest way to spend the holidays is by only celebrating in person with the people you live with and celebrating virtually with everyone else. If you live alone, consider exclusively celebrating with one additional household as a safe way to spend the holidays.
• If you must travel home for the holidays, consider a self-quarantine or reducing close contact with others, 10 to 14 days before returning home for the holidays. After the holiday break, you should do the same before coming back to Waterloo.
• The fewer people you have contact with, the lower the risk of exposure to COVID-19. Virtual gatherings and virtual events are the safest way to visit or celebrate occasions with people outside your household.
• In Red–Control regions, trips outside of the home should only be for essential reasons (e.g. work, school, groceries, pharmacy, health care, assisting vulnerable individuals, or physical activity).
• If you are concerned you were exposed to COVID-19 or have symptoms, take the online COVID-19 self-assessment.
• Get tested if you have symptoms compatible with COVID-19, or if you have been advised of exposure by your local public health unit or through the COVID Alert app.

University supports are available to you. If you need to get tested for COVID-19, make an appointment at the campus COVID-19 Testing Assessment Centre. To speak with a nurse about COVID-related health concerns, contact the University’s COVID-19 hotline at 1-833-UW-COV19 (1-833-892-6819) or complete this web form.

I know it has been a challenging term, and the holiday break will provide a much-needed pause. But we must not let our guard down. We are all Waterloo Warriors, and we must continue to protect each other, our campus community and our loved ones this holiday season.

Building closures and access December 8 to January 10

Note that most academic and student service buildings will be locked beginning December 8 through to January 10, with some exceptions. As a reminder, the University is closed from December 24 to January 3, and only essential personnel should be on campus during this time. Access to research space during the closure will be granted by faculty Deans and will be limited to COVID research and critical lab maintenance activities. If you require access to a university building, please follow the campus access protocols or speak to your supervisor or graduate officer.

Wishing you all the best of the holiday season.

Sincerely,

Feridun Hamdullahpur, President and vice-chancellor