Over the past week, the Kingston community has seen a sharp increase in the number of COVID-19 cases linked to variants of concern (VOC). To help address this risk, Queen’s is taking the proactive step of closing the Athletics and Recreation Centre, effective March 18, as a precaution.

This closure comes on the advice of KFL&A Public Health and the university’s own public health advisers and will be in effect until further notice.

The closure affects all in-person programming in the ARC. The ARC will continue to provide virtual fitness programs and on on-demand workouts given the importance of physical health and wellbeing. Other services such as the university’s bookable Library study spaces currently remain open under existing restrictions.

All members of the Queen’s community continue to be asked to self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms, and get tested right away if they develop any signs of illness. In addition, 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.

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, and will be running extended hours until 8:30 pm, now through March 19, inclusive. Appointments can be booked by calling Student Wellness Services at 613-533-2506. Evening appointments (4 pm - 8:30 pm) can also be booked online.

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.