Western University in London has announced it will require students and staff to have taken a COVID-19 booster shot to come to campus, and they will have to be masked in classrooms and seminar rooms. .“While we can’t predict when the next wave of COVID-19 might come, we believe these measures will help us protect the in-person experience that Western is known for,” said Western provost and vice president, academic Florentine Strzelczyk in a Monday press release. .“We want to do everything we can to offer our students a great on-campus experience throughout the academic year.” .The release said students and staff are required to have taken two COVID-19 vaccines and one booster shot to come to campus. They must submit their proof of vaccination by October 1. .Western students living in residences will be required to have a booster shot before moving in. Students will be provided with a two-week grace period and easy access to the campus vaccine clinic if they are unable to take one before arriving. .Western was the first university in Canada to require COVID-19 vaccines for students in residences in 2021. .READ MORE: Western universities not forcing students to be COVID vaccinated.Partially-vaccinated students would be permitted into residences if they attained their second doses. Western said they would not be requiring vaccines for in-person classes, but they backtracked soon after. .Western said requiring vaccines led to a 99% vaccination rate on campus. .“This decision supports the safety of our students, employees and our community with the goal of preserving our in-person experience,” said Western occupational health physician Dr. Sonya Malone..“The last school year showed us that our campus community was on board with the masking and vaccination policy, which was the key to successfully completing the fall and winter terms in person.” .The release went on to say people will be required to wear masks in classrooms and seminar rooms except if they can remain two metres apart. It said the university will reassess masking after Thanksgiving, and it will aim to lift the mask mandate as soon as possible. .Western was among the first universities in Canada to require mask wearing in 2020. .Strzelczyk acknowledged each university is taking an approach unique for its community. .“At Western, we believe, and our experts agree, that our approach this fall is the best route to supporting a healthy community and providing a consistent, engaging on-campus experience for our students,” she said. .The University of Toronto announced on July 21 it will be requiring students staying in residence buildings to have taken three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. .READ MORE: Toronto university mandates booster shots for students living in residences.“As part of our commitment to health and safety, the University and its federated colleges require students living in residence during the 2022-23 academic year to be vaccinated for COVID-19,” said U of T. .“Students moving into residence are expected to complete the primary series of vaccinations and a booster dose, at least 14 days prior to their residence move-in date.”
