U of G's Set for September emails help you prepare for your classes and experiences this fall. Learn how we are working together to keep our community safe and the important role you play in helping reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Wear a face covering when you come to campus

If you don't need to be on campus, please consider staying home to help keep our community safe. If you need to come to campus or a research station for face-to-face courses or to access in-person services, you're required to wear a face covering.

What are my options for a face covering?

Face coverings must be at least two-layers thick and may include:

• Non-medical masks (reusable or disposable)
• Bandanas
• Scarves
• Other material that covers your nose, mouth and chin

All students taking face-to-face courses on campus will receive two reusable masks when they arrive at their first classes. Until you receive your reusable masks, please make sure you wear your own face covering when you come to campus.

The University Bookstore is selling reusable masks online.

Where to wear a face covering

Students, faculty, staff and visitors must wear face coverings in:

• classrooms
• hallways
• washrooms
• stairways
• meeting rooms
• student residence common spaces
• other common areas (lounges, dining outlets, etc.)

There are certain circumstances in which you may be able to remove your face covering, such as when you are eating or drinking or when you are using equipment within a designated area in the Athletics Centre. Those details are on the Practices page of our Return to Campuses website.

Further requirements for personal protective equipment in research spaces, including labs, are outlined in the Research Phase-In Framework.

What if I can't wear a face covering?

If you have a medical condition, disability or impairment that affects your ability to wear a face covering and require accommodation (e.g., a clear plastic face shield, other accommodation, etc.), please contact Student Health Services at 519-824-4120, Ext. 52131.

A face shield should be used only if Student Health Services determines it to be an appropriate accommodation.

Remember, there are many reasons why someone may not be able to wear a face covering and those reasons may not be visible to others.

Training, screening and apps before you come to campus

Everyone who comes to a U of G location must visit the Before You Return page of our Return to Campuses website. The page lists steps you must follow and training you must take before you can come to campus.

Next week, the University will launch a COVID-19 screening form that you must complete every day before you come to campus. You will be able to access the screening form through the Safe Gryphon app, which provides other useful safety tools.

You are also strongly encouraged to download the Government of Canada's COVID Alert app. The app can let you know of possible COVID-19 exposure before any symptoms appear.

Download Links

• Safe Gryphon app - Apple or Android
• COVID Alert app - Apple or Android

Keeping our community safe together

There are easy ways you can help keep yourself and your Gryphon family safe:

• Clean your hands often with soap and water or hand sanitizer
• Stay 2 metres apart from others - skip the house parties
• Wear a face covering
• Cover your coughs and sneezes
• Stay home if you or a close contact are sick
• Complete the COVID-19 screening before you come to campus
• Don't touch your face
• Be mindful of high-touch surfaces
• Download the Government of Canada's COVID Alert app

No visitors or guests are allowed in U of G residences at this time.

U of G's Policy on Non-Academic Misconduct details the University's expectations regarding student conduct. This policy, particularly paragraph 4.4.2, also applies to student behaviour on and off campus during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Learn more about these COVID-19 safety practices on the Return to Campuses website.

Communicating cases on campus

U of G is committed to providing a safe learning environment for our students. In the next week, we'll share our classroom protocols that outline how the University and our students will help keep our community safe this fall.

If someone who has been at a U of G location within the last two weeks tests positive for COVID-19, U of G will work with Public Health to support contact tracing as needed. Public Health will contact anyone who is at risk usually within 48 hours of the positive test result. 

The Positive Cases on Campus page of the University's Return-to-Campuses website lists confirmed positive COVID-19 cases where the individual has been on campus within the last 14 days.

Everyone who comes to a U of G location is expected to follow practices to help protect the community. 

More to Come

Further updates on what to expect in the online and face-to-face classroom, parking, study space, tools for your success and more will be shared in the weeks ahead. We're Set for September!
 

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.