As you may be aware, Public Health Ontario has removed the mandatory five-day isolation period for those who test positive for COVID-19 as part of the province’s plan to prepare for the fall respiratory illness season.
While York University continues to align our approach with the Province and the advice from the Chief Medical Officer of Health, we appreciate that this shift will undoubtedly cause various members of our community concern as we mark the return to largely in-person activities this Fall.
We would therefore like to remind everyone about York’s community of care approach to health and safety:
- Masks are not mandatory at this time but are strongly recommended especially in indoor settings when social distancing is difficult to maintain – 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 and at Glendon’s Centre of Excellence, and will be available for free at various locations as required. Find out more information about masks on the Better Together website.
- The requirement for vaccinations is paused at this time. Please note however that we will continue the monitoring of the scientific evidence and medical health advice and may need to pivot quickly depending on circumstances – as a consequence all students, faculty, course directors and staff are highly encouraged to keep their COVID-19 vaccination information updated on YUScreen.
- The best defence against COVID-19 continues to be vaccination and we urge all members of our community to receive a complete vaccine series and boosters when eligible.
- To support your own health and the health of the community, York University will run several vaccination clinics at each of our campuses within the first two weeks of Fall. Additional information on vaccinations, including York’s mobile vaccination clinics in partnership with GO-VAXX and Toronto Public Health, can be found on the Better Together website. Walk in or book an appointment through the provincial booking site or by calling the Provincial Contact centre at 1-833-943-3900.
- If you are feeling unwell, don’t come to campus, test for COVID-19 (the Better Together website has information on where rapid tests are available on campuses), and self-assess your status on YUScreen to receive the most up-to-date advice.
- Remember, the fall is also flu season. It is strongly recommended that you receive flu shots when eligible.
- York follows the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers’ Epidemic Task Force guidelines and also Public Health Ontario’s guidance on Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems in Buildings and COVID-19. The guides focus on following the latest public health guidelines on protective health and safety measures, improving filtration, and using HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems to ensure a clean air supply and minimizing the risk of infectious aerosols.
York will continue to monitor the changing COVID-19 landscape on an ongoing basis to ensure the safety and well-being of the community, including consulting and working with Toronto Public Health and the Chief Medical Officer of Health. If circumstances should change during the academic year, new measures may be required. To stay up to date, check the Better Together website for the latest information on what you can do and what the University is doing in response to the pandemic as we continue to adapt to the changing environment.