Queen’s suspends mandatory masking & vaccination for spring/summer term

Queen’s has announced mandatory masking and COVID-19 proof of vaccination requirements will be suspended starting in the spring/summer term. In an email sent to students Mar. 28, the University said changes will take effect May 1.

The email—which mirrors an announcement posted to Queen’s Safe Return to Campus website—said those attending in-person university activities will also no longer be required to complete daily self-assessment screenings on the SeQure app beforehand.

“Over the past six weeks, the pandemic outlook across the province has changed significantly,” the email read. “Locally, health care authorities are indicating a continued decline in the number of COVID cases requiring hospitalization.”

The email warned “Queen’s may bring back vaccination and/or masking requirements on short notice” should the state of the pandemic change and government mandates or public health instructions be reinstated.

Should these requirements resume, those who aren't considered up-to-date for COVID-19 vaccination may experience interruptions to in-person activities. According to the University, this “may impact [unvaccinated staff, students, and faculty’s] eligibility to remain in classes, employment status, eligibility to remain in residence, and access to on-campus resources or facilities.”

To avoid any potential disruptions, the University “strongly recommend[s] maintaining up to date vaccination status to reduce the risk of interruption to [...] studies or work.”

If members of the community come into contact with a COVID-19 case or experience symptoms of COVID-19, the university pointed to the Ontario government’s COVID-19 self-assessment and Queen’s Updated Isolation Protocols to determine if testing is necessary.