COVID-19 Self-isolation in Residence

Renison University College strives to provide an environment that is safe, healthy, and welcoming for all students. However, we recognize that COVID-19 is still present throughout Canada, which can present many challenges for individuals living in communal living situations such as a student residence. Your Renison Student Experience & Housing team are here to support you with any questions you may have. 

COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Tests

COVID-19 antigen rapid tests are available at the Turnkey Desk in the Student Life Centre (SLC). Select pharmacies, groceries stores, and public health offices may also have a supply of at-home COVID-19 tests. You can find a local public health unit through the Government of Ontario website if you require a test off-campus.

Self-isolation in Residence

You are expected to self-isolate in the event that you: 

  • have symptoms of COVID-19 or have tested positive for the virus

You do not need to isolate, but must still monitor for symptoms and take all necessary precautions:

  • if you’ve been exposed to someone from another household with symptoms of COVID-19 or a positive test result

The COVID-19 self-assessment tool can also tell you what to do next. Take it for yourself or on behalf of someone else and receive recommendations on what to do if you’ve been exposed. 

Steps to Self-Isolate

  • Living in Residence While Infected with COVID-19: Some residents may have the privilege to return home while infected with COVID-19. If you can return home to self-isolate, we strongly encourage you to do so. If you are not able to do so, we will do our best to support you during this period in residence. However, we do not have private rooms available for students to self-isolate separately.
  • Leaving Your Room in Residence: Any student who is self-isolating should not leave their residence room. Exceptions include:
    • Accessing your meals from the Renison Cafeteria and returning to your room.
    • A fire alarm or other emergency.
    • Using the washrooms.
    • For emergencies, including urgent medical care.
  • Guests: Students in self-isolation are not permitted to have friends or visitors in their residence room at any time.
  • Meals: Renison Food Services can assist you with meals. Please contact Tim Farley, Food Services Manager, at tim.farley@uwaterloo.ca. You will be able to retrieve your meal from the Cafeteria and then return to your residence room.  You can also use food delivery apps such as Uber Eats and SkipTheDishes.
  • Accessing Medicine: We encourage students to download a phone app called “Instacart”. On this app, you will be able to order for delivery medicine from various stores.
  1. In the App Store or Google Play, search for “Instacart”
    Instacart
  2. It will generate a list of stores in your area. Two convenient stores you can search for medicine are:
    Instacart
    Shoppers
  3. You will be able to search for “cough medicine” or “headache” medicine and find options.
  4. You can then put in Renison as the delivery location: 240 Westmount Road North, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G4
  5. In “Special Instructions”, ask them to leave the bag at the back door of Renison at the flagpole entrance.
  6. Once it has been delivered, you can go to the entrance to retrieve the supplies.
  • Cleanliness & Hygiene: Practice good hygiene at all times including washing hands, cleaning surfaces, wearing a mask, washing reusable masks, etc.
    • Before and after use of the washroom, please clean touch points and any contact areas. This is to ensure cleanliness and hygiene while self-isolating. Sanitation wipes can be provided upon request by Renison Student Experience & Housing. 
    • You are responsible to dispose your own garbage after your isolation period has been completed.

Renison Residence unfortunately does not have any additional facilities in our building for students to privately self-isolate.

Supports & Resources

Questions?

We invite you to connect with any member of the Renison Student Experience & Housing team for support.