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COVID-19

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a highly infectious respiratory disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Most people with COVID-19 have mild symptoms, but some people become severely ill.  

If you are experiencing any new or worsening symptoms, were told to isolate or quarantine, or have tested positive for COVID-19, please complete the Ministry of Health’s provincial screening tool (https://www.ontario.ca/autoevaluation/), and follow the guidance and direction provided to determine self-isolation, self-monitoring and back to work or school timelines.   

York University continues to monitor the impact of COVID-19 to help our community respond to the challenges of the pandemic. We assess pandemic information and data locally, nationally, and globally; including all provincial and municipal health information, guidelines, and directives. 

York students who have additional questions may contact Student Counselling Health and Well-being at schw@yorku.ca    

York staff, faculty, employees who have additional questions may contact Employee Well-Being at sfccm@yorku.ca    

Additional information regarding York University’s COVID-19 supports may be found below.

Anyone who has any symptoms of illness or tested positive for COVID-19 are encouraged to complete the Ministry of Health’s Provincial Screening Tool (https://www.ontario.ca/autoevaluation/) for further direction and guidance.

Information on Post COVID-19 Condition (Long COVID): EN | FR

Treatment of COVID-19 

  • 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 your primary healthcare provider 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 primary healthcare provider since some treatments need to be taken within five to seven days of your symptoms starting. 

York strongly encourages that everyone receives a complete COVID-19 vaccine series, including updated booster(s), when eligible. Go to the Ontario vaccine site to check vaccine eligibility and to book an appointment or call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Center at 1-833-943-3900 (TTY for people who are deaf, hearing-impaired or speech-impaired: 1-866-797-0007). 

When possible, York is partnering with local public health authorities to make access to vaccines easy and convenient for our community members, including through the following upcoming clinics. 

Keele Campus

This will be populated when vaccination dates become available.

Glendon Campus

Please see Shoppers Drug Mart locations close to Glendon campus offering COVID-19 vaccines:

1601 Bayview

1601 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON M4G 3B5

1860 Bayview

1860 Bayview Avenue, (UNIT 101) Toronto, ON M4G 0C3

Vaccine Links and Resources: 

York University is a mask friendly environment. The University paused the mandatory face mask protocol effective June 28, 2022. The University continues to monitor the impact of COVID-19 and public health guidelines and, if necessary, public health requirements, including masking, will be reinstated.

Everyone’s choice to continue masking based on comfort levels and health needs should be respected. For more information, please visit: 

  • Toronto Public Heath: Reduce Virus Spread Guide EN | FR
  • The Public Health Agency of Canada: COVID-19 mask use: Types of masks and respirators EN | FR
  • Health Canada:  How to Choose, Use, and Care for a Mask EN | FR

French image: https://www.toronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/8d12-The-Best-Mask-that-Fits-WellFrench.pdf  

Where can I get a mask on campus? 

Community members with a valid YU-card may purchase masks from vending machines located on the Keele and Glendon Campuses. Vending machines are stocked with level 3 masks ($0.25 for a pack for three masks) and N95 masks ($2.00 for one mask).    

Please note that masks are currently available in these 4 vending machine locations:

  • Ross/Vari Link
  • York Lanes
  • Curtis Lecture Hall
  • Glendon

If you need to update your YU-card, please visit: https://www.yorku.ca/yucard/ 

Were you tested for COVID-19? 

COVID-19 testing locations and clinical assessment centres 

Where to pick up rapid tests at York 

York is offering free COVID-19 rapid antigen tests to all community members on our campuses. 

Test supplies are available on a first come, first served basis, and while supplies last. You can pick up a package of test supplies at these locations: 

Keele Campus:

The Student Life Hub, Ross/Vari Hall Link  
(hallway between Vari Hall and Ross Building) 
Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

York International, York Lanes, Room 200 
Monday to Friday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Bennett Centre for Student Services, 1st floor 
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  
Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  

Tait McKenzie, 1st floor, front desk 
Monday to Friday 6a.m. to 11 p.m. 
Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. 

Keele Campus Bookstore, York Lanes, Downstairs information/pickup counter 
Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m 

YUSC Office, First Student Centre, room 335 
Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm 

YUSC Office, Second Student Centre, room 110 
Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm 

Glendon Campus:

Glendon Campus Bookstore, York Hall (Basement), Rm 030B 
Monday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

The provincial government has started to wind down their distribution of tests through grocery stores and pharmacies. Participating grocery and pharmacy locations will be giving out free COVID-19 rapid antigen test kits while supplies last, with a limit of one box of five tests per household per visit. Please check the provincial government’s webpage for availability and distribution locations. (French: https://www.ontario.ca/localisateur-tests-rapides/)

How to perform a rapid test 

Rapid tests are easy and simple to use, take five minutes to self-administer and 15 minutes to yield results. 

Test must be kept at room temperature and away from direct sources of heat. In case it freezes, please allow 30 minutes to thaw before performing a test. 

The sample for the rapid antigen test is mostly collected while swabbing the nose but, since February 2022, the provincial government released guidelines on how to do a double swab (nose and throat). 

Select and download the step-by-step instruction sheet of how to self-administer the type of test you received: 

Testing should take place at home, before coming to campus. Students living on campus should complete the test before leaving their residence room/apartment. 

For more information regarding optimal testing and timing of performing a test, please go to the Public Health Guidelines (Gestion des cas et des contacts relatifs à la COVID-19 en Ontario) and refer to section 4.1: “Testing Recommendations”. 

If I have symptoms, can I use a rapid antigen test to see if I have COVID-19? 

What do my test results mean?

Visit Toronto Public Health’s COVID-19 Testing Page: TPH: COVID-19 Testing and see section: Understanding Your COVID-19 Test Result.

When do the rapid antigen tests expire? 

  • Please follow the expiration date provided on the QR code label on the outside of your test supply package. The Ministry of Health has extended the shelf-life for some brands of testing supplies, which has been reflected on the date on the QR code label on your package.

Can I use the at-home testing supplies when travelling? 

  • For travelling purposes, please consult your local and destination guidelines regarding test requirements. Please consult the manufacturer's guidance for information on maintaining the integrity of the test supplies during shipping (e.g., air travel). More information regarding local and destination guidelines may be found under Travel Health

COVID-19 Information & Resources

  • York University COVID-19 Fact and Information Sheet [PDF] - EN | FR
  • Protocol for Self-Disclosure, Self-Assessment and Incident Management of Communicable Diseases [PDF]- EN | FR

Mask information

  • York University Mask Information Sheet [PDF] - EN | FR

Contractors and Visitors

  • Health and Safety Information for Contractors, Vendors and Guests on York Campuses [PDF] - EN | FR

Staff and faculty may find additional resources by visiting YU Link, including information on previous Wellness Wednesdays, COVID-19 first aid guidance, and instructions on eye protection, cleaning and disinfection.

For more information about cleaning processes at York: https://www.yorku.ca/facilities/our-services/property-management/custodial-services/   

For more information about ventilation at York:   https://www.yorku.ca/facilities/our-services/property-management/maintenance/

As COVID-19 remains part of our lives, it is important that we take personal responsibility to keep ourselves and others safe.  

Contact us: 

  • For students: SCHW@yuoffice.yorku.ca  
  • Hours of operation: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. 
  • For employees: SFCCM@yorku.ca  
  • Hours of operation: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. 

FAQ: 

What should I do if I:

  • Have COVID-19 like and/or respiratory symptoms;
  • Tested positive for COVID-19;
  • Was informed I was a close contact;
  • Was instructed to self-isolate, quarantine or stay home

When can I return to campus/leave isolation after failing the self-assessment? 

TPH Hotline: 416 - 338 - 7600 TTY: 416-392-0658  

8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday 

Email: PublicHealth@toronto.ca 

If you reside outside of Toronto, you can find your local public health unit here: Public Health Unit Locator (gov.on.ca)