New procedure requires proof of vaccination to return to campus

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

As we ready ourselves for the start of the fall term at King’s, we all have to do even more to promote the health and well-being of our community. Thank you to all of those who have taken the responsible step of being vaccinated against COVID-19. We now must achieve even higher rates of vaccination in London and Ontario to further protect the community and enable a more fulsome return of everyone to our campus.

As part of a new vaccination procedure, all students and employees at King’s, Western and the affiliate university colleges will be required to demonstrate proof of vaccination prior to arriving on campus.

Those who cannot be vaccinated will be required to undergo COVID-19 testing twice a week if they wish to be on campus. King’s students living in Residence must be vaccinated and show proof upon move-in.

Western’s COVID-19 vaccination and testing clinic is open for all members of the Western community including those who study and work at King’s. We understand there are medical and religious exemptions and we operate under the Ontario Human Rights Code.

The health of our community takes precedence and with this procedure we are creating a safer environment and giving people a choice: if you do not get vaccinated, then you will have to undergo twice weekly tests. Of course, any positive tests will require you to self-isolate and not be on campus.

King’s will also require all students on work placements, practicums, internships as well as varsity student athletes, coaches and team staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 this year. As these activities present higher risk, this measure is intended to protect students and staff as they learn and work off-campus and participate in competition and travel.

In a recent survey by Western, our community was asked if they are vaccinated or plan to be vaccinated. Specifically to King’s, 35.7% of our students and employees responded to the email survey over the first weekend of August 2021. Of those who responded, 81% indicated they are fully vaccinated. Of those who indicated they are not fully vaccinated, 52% indicated they plan to be vaccinated before the start of the fall term. Everyone needs to take responsibility for their own health and to protect the community by obtaining vaccination if able to do so.

We will provide more details as we approach the start of term on how proof of vaccination and testing will be submitted at King’s. Implementation planning is underway and more information will be shared. We will be updating the COVID-19 FAQs on an ongoing basis.

King’s joins other institutions in supporting the Council of Ontario Universities call on the provincial government for mandatory vaccination and validation of vaccination status or negative test results. 

Above all, continue to take care of yourself, take care of each other and help us to take care of this place.