The following updates are provided by the Return-to-Campuses steering committee.
On Dec. 10, 2021, the provincial government announced several new actions to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, particularly in light of the Omicron variant of concern.
Of note are the following:
- Delaying lifting proof of vaccination requirements in restaurants, gyms and other settings.
- Advising Ontarians to limit both the size and number of social gatherings they attend during the holiday season.
- Advising people to work from home when possible.
Wrapping up the fall 2021 semester
The end of the fall 2021 semester at U of G will continue as planned; this aligns with the plans and decisions of nearby universities.
Exams will take place as scheduled and in the method of delivery indicated in the course outline. Final exam schedules are available online on the Office of Registrarial Services web page and in WebAdvisor.
University social gatherings such as holiday parties and team lunches should be moved to an online format. Gatherings where individuals are unmasked and in close proximity to one another while eating, drinking and socializing can increase the risk of spreading COVID-19. When individuals are masked and spaced apart, the risk is significantly reduced.
The University remains open until end-of-day on Dec. 23. Operational plans remain in place, with employees working on-site or remotely as outlined in their area’s plan. If you have questions about your work arrangements, please speak with your manager or supervisor.
U of G’s COVID-19 Vaccination Policy and health and safety measures remain in effect.
Looking ahead to winter 2022
U of G continues to work closely with our local public health units in monitoring and responding to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic.
The University is working on a rapid testing framework for students, faculty and staff. More information on this testing framework will be available soon.
Currently, our plans for winter 2022 remain in place with a planned return to conventional course delivery and in-person instruction for most courses this winter. Classes begin Monday, Jan. 10, 2022.
University operations resume on Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022. As mentioned previously, the University is aiming for a physical return to campus for faculty and staff, following operational plans, by Jan. 10, 2022. Should the situation change, details will be provided on our COVID-19 website, the intranet and through COVID-19 email updates.
With our vaccination policy and our COVID-19 safety measures in place – including wearing masks – we can all help keep our community safe.
Wastewater testing on campus
The University of Guelph monitors its residences’ wastewater for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, to help identify and act on risks in order to further protect our community.
You can find the results of this screening on the U of G COVID-19 Wastewater Report page.
On Dec. 8, in response to a high signal in the Lambton Hall residence wastewater, the University sent messages to all those living and working in the residence reminding them to follow public health measures and recommending they get tested for COVID-19 at Student Health Services. Wastewater signals in all other U of G residences remain green, indicating low to no signal.
The University’s COVID-19 website is your best source of information on U of G’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Return to Campuses website provides essential information for those coming to campus. If you are coming to a U of G location, make sure you complete the U of G COVID-19 Screening Form every day before you arrive.