Queen’s University has announced that due to rising cases in the region, it will discontinue the in-person exam effective immediately. As a result, all exams will now be changed to an alternate delivery format.

“All remaining in-person exams scheduled for the remainder of the examination period to Dec. 22, will be changed to an alternative delivery format wherever possible. Should an alternative delivery not be possible, then exams will be rescheduled in the new year,” the university wrote in a statement today. 

Campus facilities will also be brought to reduced capacity in the coming days. “Starting on Monday, both the Library and the Athletics & Recreations Centre (ARC) will implement reduced capacity limits.”

The university is also encouraging all students to get tested prior to leaving the region. This comes as the Omicron variant began to spread in the community earlier this week. 

“If students are asymptomatic, and have not been told they are a high-risk contact of a person with COVID-19, they should complete a rapid antigen test. If their test is positive, they must isolate in-place for 10 days,” wrote the university. 

Students must also confirm rapid antigen-positive tests with a PCR test. 

“Queen’s is working on a plan to provide free rapid antigen test kits on-campus as early as possible on Monday..PCR testing can be booked online through KFL&A Public Health. Students can also make an appointment at Student Wellness Services.”

The university states that once those students intending to leave Kingston for the winter break have received a negative rapid antigen or PCR test, and who are not high-risk contacts, are encouraged to depart as soon as possible. If students have already returned home, they are strongly encouraged to seek a single PCR test and isolate themselves while waiting for results.

“Support services remain available for students who cannot return home,” the university said.

“Queen’s residences remain open for students who cannot travel and students in residence will receive a follow-up communication with further details.”

Timeline

• Saturday, December 4th – Outbreak declared at Harkness Hall
• Tuesday, December 7th – The Ale House & Canteen abrubtly closes until 2022.
• Tuesday, December 7th – Outbreak declared within varsity teams at Queen’s
• Tuesday, December 7th – Several students isolating at Victoria Hall due to testing positive for COVID-19
• Wednesday, December 8th – KFL&A Public Health confirms that there were multiple positive cases at the Ale House & Canteen
• Thursday, December 9th – All varsity sports suspended due to outbreak
• December 9th – Multiple outbreaks declared at Queen’s residences, Omicron variant suspected to be involved
• December 10th – Queen’s students call for exams to be moved online amid increasing COVID-19 cases
• December 10th – Queen’s University confirms widespread outbreak within student community, Omicron spreading through community
• December 12th – Queen’s University cancels in-person exams amid outbreak
• December 12th – Queen’s University is confirms 38 positive cases of COVID-19 across 11 residence buildings. Queen’s now asking students in residence to go home as soon as possible.