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COVID supports

As COVID-19 remains part of our lives, it’s important that we take personal responsibility to keep ourselves and others safe. At the same time, York continues to provide multiple strategies and tools to monitor and respond to COVID-19 as part of our ongoing commitment to support the safety and resilience of our communities.

York utilizes a Self-Disclosure, Screening and Incident Management Protocol to provide a framework for support and response to any COVID-19 related disclosures / situations that arise for those who come onto our campuses and for those who live here. We work closely with public health authorities, follow and provide the community with information regarding their guidance and provide all necessary information to assist any public health investigation (if required). Case and contact management for students, staff and faculty is supported by the appropriate offices within the University for those who fail screening.

YU Screen

YU Screen is a self-screening tool to help assess your health status. We encourage everyone to use YU Screen prior to attending campus. If you are ill or have symptoms, complete YU Screen to ensure appropriate follow up. If you fail screening, do not come to our campuses. 

All information related to screening or collected through YU Screen is kept confidential, and York is committed to the protection of privacy, as required under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA). Information collected through YU Screen is encrypted and stored on servers located in Canada, in compliance with York’s security and privacy protocols. 

Case and Contact Management

Case and contact management is an integral component of our COVID-19 supports and services at York.

Those who are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, had a recent positive test result, were exposed to a symptomatic or positive case, recently returned from travel, and/or are unsure if they should come to campus, fill out YU Screen.

If you have failed your YU Screen and have been directed to self-isolate, you must complete your required isolation period. Each case will be determined individually based on public health guidelines. Employees failing YU Screen must be cleared by Employee Well-Being (EWB) and students by the Student CCM team before returning to campus.

If you need mental health and wellness support, see York’s Well-being site to be connected with a variety of health and well-being resources.

Contact us at:

Frequently Asked Questions

  • You are strongly encouraged to complete YU Screen prior to returning to campus to self-assess your status. You will receive a green checkmark when cleared to return to our campuses
  • All individuals feeling unwell, experiencing symptoms and/or COVID-19 positive MUST have improving symptoms for at least 24 hours (48 hours for gastrointestinal symptoms) and no fever before returning to our campuses
  • For a 10-day period, all individuals who test positive and/or began experiencing symptoms, whichever came first MUST continue to:
    • Wear a well-fitted mask in all public settings and avoid non-essential activities where mask removal is necessary, including dining out
    • Avoid non-essential visits to anyone who is immunocompromised or at a higher risk of illness
    • Avoid non-essential attendance within high-risk setting, including hospitals and long-term care centres
  • If you are experiencing urgent medical concerns, please call 911. If you have questions about non-urgent medical concerns, please call Health Connect at 811 or Toll-Free 1-866-797-0007.
  • Do not come to campus and immediately self-isolate.
  • Get tested, if eligible or have access to rapid antigen tests.
  • Complete YU Screen.
  • For a 10-day period, all individuals experiencing symptoms MUST continue to:
    • Wear a well-fitted mask in all public settings and avoid non-essential activities where mask removal is necessary, including dining out
    • Avoid non-essential visits to anyone who is immunocompromised or at a higher risk of illness
    • Avoid non-essential attendance within high-risk setting, including hospitals and long-term care centres
  • BEFORE returning to our campuses, ensure you meet the requirements outlined in the FAQ “When can I return to campus after failing YU Screen”.
  • If you are experiencing urgent medical concerns, please call 911. If you have questions about non-urgent medical concerns, please call Health Connect at 811 or Toll-Free 1-866-797-0007.
  • Complete YU Screen.
  • A positive rapid antigen test in an individual with COVID-19 symptoms is highly indicative that the individual has COVID-19 and should self-isolate as per the Public Health Guidelines. 
  • Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 that are NOT immunocompromised, and are NOT experiencing symptoms are not required to self-isolate, but MUST self monitor. If you begin experiencing symptoms, you must isolate immediately.
  • If you have tested positive for COVID-19 with symptoms, you must self-isolate immediately and are strongly encouraged to complete YU Screen for further support and direction.
  • For a 10-day period, all individuals who test positive and/or began experiencing symptoms, whichever came first MUST continue to:
    • Wear a well-fitted mask in all public settings and avoid non-essential activities where mask removal is necessary, including dining out
    • Avoid non-essential visits to anyone who is immunocompromised or at a higher risk of illness
    • Avoid non-essential attendance within high-risk setting, including hospitals and long-term care centres
  • Individuals are encouraged to inform anyone you have been in close contact during your infectious period (48 hours prior to the day you tested positive and/or began experiencing symptoms, whichever came first)
  • BEFORE returning to our campuses, ensure you meet the requirements outlined in the FAQ “When can I return to campus after failing YU Screen”
  • Please check out Toronto Public Health’s webpage or your local public health authority for more information.
  • If you are experiencing urgent medical concerns, please call 911. If you have questions about non-urgent medical concerns, please call Health Connect at 811 or Toll-Free 1-866-797-0007
  • Complete YU Screen.
  • If you have been told to quarantine, isolate, or stay home by a doctor, healthcare provider, public health unit, federal border agent, or other government authority should follow the direction provided.
  • BEFORE returning to our campuses, ensure you meet the requirements outlined in the FAQ “When can I return to campus after failing YU Screen”
  • Please check out Toronto Public Health’s webpage or your local public health authority for more information.
  • For more information on how to self-isolate, check out Public Health Ontario’s resource sheet.
  • For more information on federal travel restrictions, visit the Government of Canada website on COVID-19: Travel, testing and boarders
  • If you are experiencing urgent medical concerns, please call 911. If you have questions about non-urgent medical concerns, please call Health Connect at 811 or Toll-Free 1-866-797-0007
  • Complete YU Screen.
  • For 10 days after your last exposure to a COVID-19 positive person, you must
    • Self-monitor for symptoms.
    • Begin isolating immediately if you develop any new and/or worsening symptoms and seek testing if eligible.
    • Wear a well-fitted mask in all public settings and avoid non-essential settings in which mask removal is necessary, such as dining at a restaurant.
    • Avoid non-essential visits to anyone who is immunocompromised or at a higher risk of illness
    • Avoid non-essential attendance within high-risk setting, including hospitals and long-term care centres
  • If you become symptomatic, you must isolate immediately and are strongly encouraged to complete YU Screen for further support and direction
  • Please check out Toronto Public Health’s webpage or your local public health authority for more information.
  • If you are experiencing urgent medical concerns, please call 911. If you have questions about non-urgent medical concerns, please call Health Connect at 811 or Toll-Free 1-866-797-0007.
  • If you feel unwell, complete YU Screen to indicate that you have symptoms. Self-isolate in your residence room. A Case and Contact Co-ordinator will be in contact shortly with further instructions, during the operational hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.
  • If you require support on evenings, weekends and holidays, please contact:
    • Undergraduate Residences: contact your don on duty; services are available from 6 p.m. – 8 a.m., Monday to Friday and 24/7 on Saturday and Sunday
    • The Quad: contact a Community Assistant by phone (647 291-4006, ext. 0)

COVID-19 treatment depends on the type and severity of illness and can range from symptom management to the use of specific antiviral treatment and even hospitalization.  Consult with your physician for more information. If it is a medical emergency, call 911.

Antiviral treatment is now available for high-risk individuals to lower the risk of serious illness and hospitalization due to COVID-19 infection. It is important to know if you are eligible for treatment and can be assessed using the COVID-19 antiviral treatment screener. Do not delay consulting your physician since some treatments need to be taken within five to seven days of your symptoms starting.