Hamilton’s McMaster University will keep vaccination mandate even after province drops passports
Published February 23, 2022 at 11:21 am
Hamilton’s McMaster University says it will continue to enforce its COVID-19 vaccination mandate, even after the province removes its vaccine requirements for gyms, theatres, and restaurants in a few weeks.
The university made the announcement Wednesday (Feb. 23) and said the decision was made in order to “minimize uncertainty and disruption to our students, staff, faculty and university communities.”
Mac’s vaccination policy will be in place until at least the end of the school term in April.
The university says it “recognizes the importance of returning to safe in-person learning and on-campus activities for the mental and social health and well-being of students and will continue to work closely with public health authorities.”
In order to minimize uncertainty and disruption to our students, staff, faculty and university communities, Ontario’s universities, including McMaster, will maintain their COVID-19 vaccination policies until at least the end of the term | @ontuniv https://t.co/YQgoIh1Z1Y
— McMaster University (@McMasterU) February 23, 2022
“We have demonstrated that we can return to campus safely,” said McMaster Provost Susan Tighe. “Maintaining our vaccination policy for at least the rest of term will help to reassure our community and ensure continuity of in-person classes, and other key experiences for our students, faculty and staff.”
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Along with other safety measures, Mac says it will continue to provide rapid tests to critical services on campus, free surgical masks, and transparent masks to instructors and teaching assistants.
“We thank our community for their ongoing efforts to keep one another safe,” said Tighe. “We understand that this is a dynamic time, and we appreciate everyone’s understanding as we navigate evolving guidance.”
The province recently announced that it will remove its vaccination passport requirements as of March 1, but added that businesses and institutions could continue to enforce their own pandemic mandates.
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