On Tuesday, Queen’s University announced that it won’t be requiring a COVID-19 booster shot to attend classes this semester and will continue its suspension of mandatory masking.
The statement comes one day after Western University announced that it would require students to have at least one booster shot in the fall and will require masking in classrooms. Prior to this, the University of Toronto also announced that it would require students living in residence to have at least one booster shot and Laurier University announced that they would be implementing a mandatory masking policy this fall.
The statement released by Queen’s strongly encourages students to stay up to date with their booster shots and be respectful of others who choose to remain masked.
“At this time, proof of vaccination is not required to attend most in-person university activities or to live in Queen’s residence,” the university wrote in a statement. ”However, we continue to strongly encourage all Queen’s students, staff, and faculty to stay up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters.”
The university also noted that some requirements will continue to exist based on the faculty and placements involved.
“Students, faculty, and staff in the Faculty of Health Sciences accessing hospital or other external facilities are required to adhere to the guidelines, policies, and procedures of the institution which they are attending,” wrote Queen’s in Tuesday’s release.
Masking may also continue to be required for activities where wearing masks will be required as a condition for entry, such as health clinics, hospitals, laboratories and select organizations.
The university says that requirements may be reinstated “with short notice” and may suddenly find their in-person university activities “restricted or discontinued.”
Fall term classes begin on September 6th for undergraduate students.
