The government has implemented unprecedented public health measures to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 and this has changed the way the city is delivering services. This also impacts the way we can offer our services at York, especially service to our residences and apartments.
If you have not yet let us know what your plans are, please complete the Changes To Your Housing Status Form so that we can provide assistance or reassign your room to another student to facilitate self-isolation.
We want to reassure you that, if you are an international student or have extenuating circumstances and cannot return home, you are welcome to remain in residence and we will continue to support you.
If you are staying in residence, it is important that you take your health and well-being, and the well-being of others, into consideration.
What you can do to protect yourself
- Practice social distancing
- Remain at least six feet apart from other people
- Stay in your room as much as you can – laundry and washroom breaks excepted.
- Only go out for the absolute essential needs like food and medicine.
- Consider doing your non-perishable grocery shopping online.
- Connect with friends and family virtually (Facebook groups/chat, Facetime, video calls, etc.).
- Set up a buddy system in which you agree to check in on each other.
- Fill your prescriptions, pick up any over-the-counter medication and toiletries you may need over the next few weeks (a minimum 2-week supply).
- Stock up on non-perishable food to have supplies on hand (as per your dietary needs/restrictions):
- Protein foods such as tinned tuna, salmon and sardines, canned lentils and beans. Unopened, firm tofu and tempeh will stay fresh for weeks in the fridge.
- Shelf-stable dairy and non-dairy milks can be stored for months before opening.
- Whole grains such as quinoa, brown rice, barley, bulgur, farro, rolled oats and unflavoured instant oatmeal.
- Vegetables such as canned peas, corn, green beans, carrots, beets. Look for reduced-sodium varieties where possible.
- If you have freezer space, stock up on frozen vegetables, including leafy greens such as kale and spinach, as well as edamame, carrots, peas, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower. Longer-lasting fresh vegetables include potatoes, sweet potatoes, winter squash, beets, carrots, cabbage and onions.
- Fruits for or snacks and desserts, include fruit canned in its own juice and unsweetened applesauce. Buy unsweetened dried fruit such as raisins, dried apricots, dried apples and dried cherries to add to trail mix, hot cereal, pilafs and salads.
- Longer-lasting fresh fruits include oranges (last three to four weeks in fridge), grapefruit (six weeks) and apples (four to six weeks). Unripe green bananas will take two to five days to ripen.
- Healthy fats such as nuts, nut butters and seeds also add protein, fibre, vitamin E and minerals to snacks and meals.
If you do become ill, stay in your residence room and contact Toronto Public Health or your doctor/medical clinic for direction. Please notify reslife@yorku.ca.
For more tips, visit the Government of Canada’s being prepared information.
Please be aware that many University services are still available for you online. In addition, you’ll soon learn about virtual programming for residents remaining on campus.
Remember, if you’re experiencing anxiety or stress, please reach out to Student Counselling & Development at 416-736-5297 or visit the website https://counselling.students.yorku.ca/ to learn about remote access of services. For questions regarding immigration, UHIP and general international student well-being, please email iadvisor@yorku.ca. Other mental health & wellness resources are available here: https://mhw.info.yorku.ca/resources/resources-at-york/students/.
Stay safe, be well and look out for one another.
Residence Life and Housing & Conference Services