Dear York community,
This September, we are excited to welcome most members of our community back to campus for the first time in two years. In recent months, mandatory masking was lifted in Ontario and venues have re-opened.
While it feels like a return to normal, COVID-19 is still with us. Keeping ourselves and others in our community safe and well is important to us. As we look for ways to support a safe return to campus for our students, faculty and staff, we continue to offer a number of initiatives that you should be aware of:
- York’s mandatory vaccination policy and mandatory masking protocol have each been paused. However, we continue to monitor the impact of COVID-19 as well as public health guidelines and, if necessary, these mandatory protocols will be reinstated on short notice. Please take the time to make yourself familiar with the requirements, especially if they change, so that you are not caught off-guard.
- Although vaccination and masking are not currently mandatory, the University continues to encourage everyone to be fully vaccinated, including boosters when eligible. We also recommend you wear a mask indoors, especially where physical distancing is not possible.
- York University continues to partner with GO-VAXX to offer vaccination clinics, including upcoming clinics at the Keele campus on August 17 and 18. The mobile clinics are open to all members of the public. You can book an appointment through the provincial booking site or by calling the Provincial Contact centre at 1-833-943-3900.
- Rapid tests are available on the Keele and Glendon campuses.
- N-95 and surgical masks are available for purchase at a discount on campus at locations such as York Lanes, the Life Sciences Building and Central Square.
- If you are feeling unwell, don’t come to campus, test for COVID-19 (if available) and update your status on the YU Screen tool to receive guidance from the University.
- Remember, the fall is also flu season. It is strongly recommended that you receive flu shots when eligible.
More than 85 per cent of classes are scheduled to be in-person this fall. Many staff continue to work on campus and others who are choosing hybrid work will be on campus at least some of the time. We can expect a robust on-campus presence.
A bustling campus will mean we need to take individual responsibility and a community of care approach to keep everyone safe and well. This begins with protecting and maintaining your own health, as well as that of others.
We urge each of you to respect everyone’s choice to continue masking based on comfort levels and health needs.
We continue to learn together and will adapt as necessary to our changing environment so that we can stay safe, prevent illness and get the most out of the York U experience.
Please check YU Better Together for more information and updates in the weeks ahead.
Sincerely,
Lisa Philipps
Acting President, York University