As long as positive health trends continue, the University of Guelph will follow the provincial government’s lead and pause its pandemic mandates
As of May 1, the University of Guelph will pause most of its pandemic guidelines and requirements, including the vaccination policy, mask requirement, and completion of the U of G COVID-19 Daily Screening form.
The announcement follows a statement made on March 16 that the university would keep its COVID-19 policies in place until at least the end of the winter semester given how busy the campus will be during exam season.
U of G’s policies extended beyond the duration of the province’s COVID-19 measures, which saw vaccination and mask mandates lifted on March 1 and March 21, respectively. The university says its decision was in line with that of the Council of Ontario Universities’.
Once the pause begins, students will be eligible for in-person learning regardless of their vaccination status, and employees on unpaid leave will be urged to discuss their situation with their supervisor.
The U of G continues to encourage the campus community to stay up to date with its vaccinations, so that it can be prepared if public health measures and mandates are reinstated.
“Please be aware that with the evolving nature of the pandemic, we may see the return of these public health measures at some point and with little advance notice,” reads the announcement.
Furthermore, wearing masks indoors will continue to be encouraged in order to “[help] everyone feel safe on campus;” however, the university urges everyone to be “supportive” of others’ decision not to wear masks following the mandate pause.
In the near future the school says it plans to provide details regarding how individuals may update their proof of vaccination in U of G’s system to reflect booster doses.
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