Waterloo region, Guelph post-secondary schools to continue mask, vaccine requirements

Several post-secondary institutions in Waterloo and Guelph will continue to enforce health measures even as the Ontario government lifts mask mandates for indoor settings on Monday.

The provincial government's policyextend topost-secondary institutions, but severalschools in the Waterloo region and Guelphare keeping the mandate in place until at least the end of winter term to avoid any disruptions to student learning, schools say.

Other health measures including proof of vaccination and daily health screening will also remain in place.

Post-secondary schools that will maintain mandatory masking and vaccination requirements for students and staff include:

• University of Waterloo.
• Wilfrid Laurier University.
• University of Guelph.
• Conestoga College.

The move falls in line with the approach taken by most post-secondary institutions across Ontario.

Schools to provide updates

Last week, University of Waterloo president Vivek Goel and James Rush, vice-president academic, provided an update to the school community.

"At Waterloo, to minimize the potential for disruption to the end of the term schedule and exams, we will maintain our current mask-wearing requirement until at least the end of the winter term. It is our hope that this helps minimize uncertainty and disruption and continues to support our students, staff, faculty and University community," the statement said.

Final exams at the University of Waterloo are set to end April 26. The requirements are under review and an update is expected before the start of the spring term.

University of Guelph students and staff are required to wear a medical-style mask on campus until at least the end of the winter semester, which wraps up on April 25.

Conestoga College's winter term ends on April 30. A spokesperson said mandates are staying in place at until then "to provide certainty to students and faculty and minimize potential disruptions to the academic term."

The school's plans for the spring 2022 term have not been finalized and will be announced in the next few weeks.

Wilfrid Laurier University is maintaining its masking policy, mandatory vaccination policy and daily self-assessment protocols until further notice. The university has not provided a clear date regarding lifting restrictions.

Elementary, high school students

Meanwhile, elementary and secondary school boards in the region are following the Ontario government's decision when it comes to listing masking requirements.

Starting Monday, the following school boards will no longer require students to wear masks:

• Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB).
• Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB).
• Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB).
• Wellington Catholic District School Board (WCDSB).
• Conseil scolaire Viamonde.
• Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir.

Students and staff can still wear masks if they choose, the boards have said.