The following message was shared with the Queen's community on Wednesday, Nov. 16 by the Office of the Provost:

Queen’s Faculty, Staff, and Students,

In light of the increasing circulation of respiratory viruses and hospitalizations across the province, Ontario's chief medical officer of health is strongly recommending that Ontarians wear masks in all indoor public settings, including in schools.

Queen’s students, staff, and faculty are asked to adhere to the following guidelines to help ease the strain on our local hospitals and reduce transmission of respiratory viruses, such as COVID-19, influenza, and RSV:

• The university strongly recommends that Queen’s students, staff, and faculty wear a mask in indoor settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained, including instructional spaces. Individuals may be asked to wear a mask if close contact is required; please be respectful of these requests. Some activities and roles may also have mandatory requirements for masking, such as those in health clinics, hospitals, some laboratories, and in some organizations where students complete their placements.

• Students, staff, and faculty must stay home if they are ill. Once symptoms begin to improve for 24 hours (or 48 hours if gastrointestinal symptoms) and no fever is present, you may return to campus. Please continue to wear a mask for 10 days following the onset of symptoms.

If a student needs to miss a class, exam, or other academic requirement due to COVID-19 illness, symptoms, or self-isolation requirement, academic consideration will be granted. Medical documentation of illness is not required. Students can submit an academic consideration request by following your Faculty's/School's established protocol for students with extenuating circumstances. Students can find additional information in the Extenuating Circumstances procedure and policy.

• Everyone is encouraged to stay up to date on their COVID-19 boosters and flu vaccines. For all individuals 12 years of age or older, it is recommended to receive one flu vaccine and one bivalent COVID-19 booster this fall if you have not received a COVID-19 vaccine within the last 6 months. Individuals, including international students, who need a COVID-19 vaccine can find walk-in clinics or book an appointment in Kingston and in Ontario. 

A flu vaccine clinic for staff and faculty, part of a nursing student health promotion project, will be held on Nov. 22-23, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., in Mitchell Hall, Second floor, Parkul Lounge (south end of building). This clinic is walk-in only; please bring your health card or another form of photo ID.

Flu vaccine clinics for students will be held on campus on Nov. 15-18 from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Students can call 613-533-2506 to book an appointment. Students can also receive a flu vaccine from Student Wellness Services throughout the fall and winter.

Student Wellness Services has also compiled a list of resources on off-campus locations where flu shots can be booked. Learn more about the flu vaccine clinics on the Student Wellness Services website.