Impact of Modified Step 2 on King's

A message from Dr. David Malloy, King's President:

As many of you have heard today, the Ontario government has announced new measures to further reduce the rapid spread of Omicron. As of Wednesday, Ontario will be in a modified Step 2 of the provincial roadmap to reopen. This is not the news any of us wanted to hear. While our campus has remained a place of safety, we must do all we can to reduce contacts and mobility in an effort to reduce the impact on our front-line workers and hospitals.

King’s, the other affiliates and Western University are working together to make our campuses as safe as possible. Western is communicating to all students and employees of Western and the affiliates regarding operational changes at Western. You may be wondering how these changes will impact King’s.

For our students:

Our campus services will re-open virtually and with limited in-person access on Tuesday January 4, 2022. As we previously announced, the winter term classes will start on January 10, 2022 and will be virtual until January 31, 2022.

If the delivery of virtual classes is extended beyond January 31, updates will be coming as soon as possible. It is important that our campus community limits personal contacts where possible and follows guidelines set out by the province for testing, proper isolation and notification of close contacts.

To that end, we strongly encourage you to learn, research and study at home, limiting the time you are on campus unless necessary. Please check for library and study space limits and hours of operations before coming to campus.

Please remember:

• Complete a COVID self-assessment if you must come to campus.
• You must wear a three-layer non-medical mask at all times indoors on campus and be fully vaccinated.
• You are required to self-isolate due to illness or being a close contact.
• Western’s Vaccination and Testing Centre re-opened Monday, January 3 for pre-booked vaccination appointments only. Vaccinations and boosters continue to be available and centre hours of operation are updated weekly.
• Visitors to campus are restricted.
• Free parking and refunds for parking already purchased will be available for the month of January.
• The King's Library will be open from Monday to Friday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• Residence community members will receive information directly from Residence.

 

For our employees:

• You will receive direction from your department if you are required to work on campus. Otherwise, you are to work from home if possible.
• As always, King’s supports employees with children – please discuss with your manager if you need a flexible work arrangement while children are experiencing a delayed return to elementary and secondary schools.
• Complete a COVID self-assessment if you must come to campus.
• You must wear a three-layer non-medical mask at all times indoors on campus and be fully vaccinated.
• You are required to self-isolate due to illness or being a close contact.
• Western’s Vaccination and Testing Centre re-opened Monday, January 3 for pre-booked vaccination appointments only. Vaccinations and boosters continue to be available and centre hours of operation are updated weekly.
• Visitors to campus are restricted.
• Free parking and refunds for parking already purchased will be available for the month of January.
• The King's Library will be open from Monday to Friday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

I want to acknowledge that this is not an easy time for any of us. Please take care of your physical and mental health. Please reach out to support one another, especially those who are vulnerable. Everyone wants answers right now. As soon as we have more information pertaining to the wider re-opening of campus, you will be the first to hear it.