As President Lenton discussed at Friday’s town hall, the Ontario Government announced plans to further reopen the province over the next five months and manage COVID-19 for the long-term. As mentioned late last month, York is continuing to roll out its Vaccination Mandate policy, including the requirement for community members to be fully vaccinated, or have an approved exemption in order to come to our campuses.
For the remainder of the fall term, York plans to continue with the public health measures that are currently in place, including all of the requirements outlined in the community of care commitment. All community members must wear a mask or face covering in indoor spaces, and continue physical distancing where possible. In addition, please continue submitting daily COVID-19 screening through YU Screen and confirm this has been done with a manager or designate, where required to do so.
We will also continue to abide by public health guidelines as the University moves toward full reopening and primarily in-person instruction for the winter term. Our strong vaccine mandate, and the co-operation we have received from our community in observing health and safety measures while on campus, has allowed us to plan the return of most of our classes this coming Winter 2022.
As announced, all students must disclose their vaccination status no later than Nov. 8, 2021, regardless of whether or not they will access campus in person. For the winter term, students may not be enrolled in any course if they have not disclosed their vaccination status (whether fully vaccinated, partially vaccinated, or unvaccinated).
In order to attend campuses in person in January for any purpose, students must upload proof of vaccination to YU Screen no later than Dec. 1, 2021. The University will continue supporting arriving international students to quarantine and to access approved vaccines where needed.
Here are some important reminders related to York’s health and safety plans:
- The university remains in Level 2 on the Welcoming YU Back Roadmap for the fall term.
- York’s Vaccination Mandate, mask/face covering protocol and required daily screening will remain in place for the remainder of the fall and into the winter term.
- To make rapid testing even easier and more convenient for the York community, students, staff, faculty, and instructors can participate in York’s at-home rapid antigen testing program free of charge.
Thank you again for your ongoing commitment to upholding a community of care while on York’s campuses, and for continuing to screen for COVID-19 symptoms daily using YU Screen. Please continue to visit the Better Together site for the latest updates. We look forward to seeing more of the community on campus safely this winter.
Sincerely,
Lisa Philipps
Provost & Vice-President Academic
Amir Asif
Vice-President, Research & Innovation