In an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19, the provincial government has announced new restrictions that will come into effect for Toronto and Peel regions Monday, November 23 at 12:01 a.m.

This Communication outlines the impact of these measures on the currently approved on-campus activities at York University.

Most of our community will continue to operate online and remotely. Under the strict adherence to the provincial COVID19 response framework and University Health and Safety Guidelines,  currently approved research and in-person activities can continue with a few exceptions listed below.

Anyone approved to be on campus for research, teaching or ongoing required activities continues to be approved until further notice for any time-sensitive activities that cannot be postponed. If you were scheduled to be on campus this week for approved activities, and if you require access that cannot reasonably be postponed, please come as planned.

Effective Monday November 23 12:01 am, the following changes are in effect:

• Gatherings: Indoor private gatherings with people outside of a household is prohibited. An individual living alone can gather with one other individual in a similar situation. Outdoor gatherings will be limited to 10 people.
• Fitness facilities: All indoor gyms are now closed until further notice.
• Libraries:  Remain open for contactless curbside pick up (booklockers), access to photocopiers, and computers until further notice.
• Study Spaces: Will close until further notice. Students with exceptional needs requiring study space are asked to contact askusyul@yorku.ca for assistance. Limited library staff will remain on site for booklocker support, research appointments, digitization services and access arrangements for photocopiers and computers.
• York Lanes:The post office, pharmacy, grocery store, bank, dental and medical clinics are permitted to continue operations in compliance with capacity restrictions.
• Food services:  Service remains takeout only, and all seating in dining halls and other food service outlets remains closed.
• Psychology Clinic: Continues to operate virtually with limited in-person psychological/psychoeducational assessments only.

To help keep everyone safe, please postpone coming to campuses for non-required needs during this lockdown period. For those approved to be on campus, please continue to follow the university’s screening and health and safety protocols and:

• Complete the COVID-19 Screening Checklist each time before attending York and do  not come to campus if “yes” was answered to any of the screening questions.     
• Wear a face covering in shared spaces and within buildings.
• Practise physical distancing and hand hygiene.

The new restrictions and evolving health and safety directives present challenges for all of us in the York community.  Through your ongoing vigilance and support, we can all help keep each other safe. I am proud of all the efforts being made to rise to the enormous challenges this pandemic poses while continuing to provide an enriching learning experience for students and an atmosphere of support for our entire community.

We will continue to communicate government restrictions and public health guidelines as they evolve, and more details are made available. For the most current information, we encourage all community members to visit the YU Better Together website on a regular basis.

Yours sincerely,

Rhonda L. Lenton
President and Vice-Chancellor