Queen’s University is taking additional proactive measures to help curb the spread of COVID-19 variants of concern (VOC). On the advice of KFL&A Public Health and the university’s public health advisors, a range of campus services are being closed or restricted as a precaution. These changes are in addition to Wednesday’s announced closure of the Athletics and Recreation Centre (ARC) and include the following:

• All retail food outlets on campus, including the Grad Club, will be restricted to takeout service only. Each operator will have the latitude to decide if they will remain open with the restrictions, or to close
• Casual seating areas in congregate areas such as the John Deutsch University Centre (JDUC), all retail food areas in the Queen’s Centre, and casual seating in Mackintosh-Corry Hall are closed
• The University Club remains closed

“The arrival of variants within our community is cause for much concern and we are going to do our part to help prevent further spread of the virus on our campus and beyond,” says Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic) Mark Green. “We are all in this together and we are cooperating closely with our community partners to ensure all of our students are aware of what’s expected of them and to strongly encourage everyone to adhere closely to the incredibly important public health measures in place.”

The university is working closely with KFL&A Public Health to manage the growing number of COVID-19 cases in the community and continues to closely monitor students in residence through established protocols.

“Today, Public Health confirmed the virus is now spreading in small social circles, rather than through any large gatherings,” says Provost Green. “We are grateful to the vast majority of our students who have been staying home and limiting their contact with others. This was particularly apparent over the past few days as this is a time of year where we usually see St. Patrick’s Day gatherings.”

Residence dining hall operations are unchanged by today’s announcement. Take-out and online ordering is available for all students in residence and is encouraged.

Bookable study spaces remain available to students as those spaces are controlled to ensure compliance with Public Health protocols including recording information for contact tracing and masking at all times. Bookable spaces in Stauffer Library, the Education Library, Douglas Library and Mackintosh-Corry Hall remain available for use and can be reserved through the Bookable Spaces library page. Existing bookable Faculty-specific spaces also remain available for use.

COVID-19 testing on campus:

All members of the Queen’s community are reminded that even those without symptoms can spread the virus. The variants are very contagious, and the university is strongly encouraging students who have been in close contact with anyone outside their household without wearing a face covering or physical distancing, to get tested during the next two weeks, even if they are not experiencing symptoms.

Anyone developing COVID-19 symptoms should also get tested right away.

The KHSC satellite COVID-19 assessment centre located in Mitchell Hall, is regularly open to test students from Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4 pm. Appointments can be booked by calling Student Wellness Services at 613-533-2506.

The COVID-19 Assessment Centre at the Beechgrove Complex at 51 Heakes Lane, Kingston, is also available. It is open daily from 9 am to 4 pm, by appointment only.

For the latest information from the university on COVID-19, please visit https://www.queensu.ca/covidinfo/updates.