Several N.S. universities stop in-person exams as COVID-19 precaution

Dalhousie University,Cape Breton University,Acadia University and Mount St. Vincent Universityhave announcedthey willstop offering in-person exams this week, while Saint Mary's University is also making changes,in an effort to control the spread of COVID-19 on their campuses.

This follows a decision by St. FX in Antigonish, N.S., to allow professors to switch to in-person examsfollowing a COVID-19 outbreak on campus.

As of 3 p.m. AT on Monday, there were13 confirmed cases of COVID-19 at Dalhousie. Thirty-two people had tested positive on a rapid test and were awaiting PCR test results.

CBU had one confirmed case, with anumber of peoplealso awaiting PCR test results.

On Monday, the province announced40 cases of the Omicron variant have been found in Nova Scotia.

At Dalhousie, remaining exams will either be postponed, moved online or cancelled.

CBUsaid it's working on options like take-home exams, online exams, alternative assignments and other options deemed appropriate by teaching staff.

Acadia said starting Tuesday, all remaining exams will either be online, postponed or cancelled. Anyone scheduled to write an in-person exam Tuesday shouldhear from their professor on how to proceed. Employees are also encouraged to work remotely, when possible.

All in-person events have also been cancelled at Acadia.

Mount St. Vincent University became the fourth university to cancel in-person exams following the latest outbreak, linked to the recent X-Ring ceremony at St. FX University in Antigonish, N.S. The change comes into effect at 8 a.m. local time on Thursday, so any exams scheduled before that will go ahead as planned.

In-person exams schedule after 8 a.m. on Thursday at MSVU will either moveonline or be in a take-home format, at the discretion of the instructor, according to a news release from the school.

Saint Mary's, meanwhile, is continuing with some in-person exams, but with new guidelines beginning Wednesday.

The Halifax-based university announced Tuesday that masks would be required for all students writing in-person exams.

In-person and remote exams are continuing as previously scheduled. Rooms used for in-person exams will not exceed 75 per cent capacity and mostare below 50 per cent capacity, according to the university.

All other December events are being cancelled, postponed or moved online, including any holiday-related gatherings. Masks are also now required for all common areas on campus unless people are seated to eat or drink.