Campus Operating Guidelines

Common Spaces/Areas

Common spaces and areas include lobbies, hallways, stairwells, restrooms, elevators, lunchrooms, break areas, etc. 

Custodial Support Services will disinfect frequently touched surfaces in common areas. Surfaces not in common areas, such as individual office doors knobs, must be disinfected by occupants. 

1. Frequent hand washing is one of the most effective prevention measures.

2. Anyone exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms should not come to campus.

3. Frequent cleaning and disinfecting of high-touch surfaces.

4. Self-isolation as per public health guidance.

Cleaning Protocols  Ventilation Measures

As of September 2, 2022:

In line with current provincial and public health guidance, the university’s suspension of mandatory masking continues across campus at this time, however, members of the Queen’s community are still strongly encouraged to wear a medical-grade mask in indoor spaces where physical distancing cannot be maintained. 

If they wish to do so, employees can ask that individuals wear a mask to enter their private office or cubicle space. A sign is available for employees to use if they wish to communicate that masks are required in their private space. As masks are not mandatory on-campus, these signs should not be posted outside lecture halls, office suites, or other public spaces, with limited exceptions such as health care settings as needed.

Some activities and roles may have mandatory requirements for masking, such as those in health clinics, hospitals, some laboratories, and some organizations where students complete their placements.  The status of the university’s mask mandate is subject to change at any time based on Public Health guidance.  Medical-grade masks continue to be available across campus for those who need them.

If you have been identified as a close contact of someone who tested positive for COVID-19 or someone with COVID-19 symptoms you should wear a well-fitted mask in all public settings for 10 days after last exposure.

In the event that you have received a positive COVID-19 PCR or Rapid Antigen test result, you must comply with isolation requirements.

Following your isolation period, you must wear a well-fitting mask while on campus until you reach 10 days following your symptom onset date or positive rapid test date.

Queen’s University is a mask-friendly campus and some staff, faculty, students, and visitors may choose to continue to wear masks on campus. Please demonstrate consideration and respect for individual choices. 

Safe mask usage

For those who choose to continue masking:

The effectiveness of masks in preventing the spread of COVID-19 can vary based on many factors including the material, construction, fit, and proper use.

To help prevent you and others from being exposed to COVID-19, make sure your medical-grade mask is:

• well-constructed

• well-fitting

• worn properly

Medical-grade masks are typically single-use and disposable, but may be reused until visibly dirty, damp, or damaged.

Information on how to wear medical-grade masks can be found on the Government of Canada website (pdf). 

Don’t use medical-grade masks or respirators with exhalation valves. They allow infectious respiratory particles to escape.

While not a public health requirement, those choosing to wear a respirator (N95, KN95, etc.) are doing so as an added community health measure. As a result, the respirator does not require fit testing. However, it is important that you understand how to properly wear the respirator so as to provide the best seal possible. Where a respirator is being used in a workplace as personal protective equipment, fit testing is required as per the standard operating procedure for respiratory protection (Respirator Protection (queensu.ca)).  For additional information, contact the Department of Environmental Health & Safety (safety@queensu.ca or ext. 32999).

The following guidelines are provided for individuals who are on campus: 

1. Self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19

Daily screening for symptoms prior to attending campus continues to be an important way of reducing the potential for transmission of COVID-19 on campus. The screening assessment module in the SeQure App provides an easy way to self-monitor.  The SeQure App can be downloaded from the Campus Security and Emergency Services web page. An on-line web version of the COVID-19 Screening Assessment and a written document are also available for those unable to use the App. 

2. Supervisors, employees, and students should familiarize themselves with the passive and active monitoring guidelines outlined in these Operating Guidelines

3. If you have symptoms, tested positive, or have come in contact with someone with COVID, we recommend you complete the screening assessment module in the SeQure App which will provide you with information on next steps.

4. Should you be required to self-isolate, follow the steps outlined on the KFL&A website.

5. All individuals on campus are expected to adhere to all health and safety directives imposed by local and provincial public health, and the provincial and federal government including:

• Practicing proper hand hygiene by washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and/or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

• Avoid touching your mouth, eyes, and nose with your hands.

• Using proper coughing and sneezing etiquette (PDF, 4.9 MB).

• Ensure your immunizations are up-to-date, including influenza and COVID-19.

• Disinfect high-touch surfaces as per the university's Cleaning Protocols.

6. All individuals on campus are expected to adhere to all health and safety directives put in place by the university as described in this guideline.

7. Employees should familiarize themselves with important resource information found on Queen's COVID-19 Information website.

A core public health infection prevention and control principle is the monitoring and identification of illness. This is accomplished at Queen’s university through a combination of passive and active monitoring strategies.

Passive Monitoring

Passive Monitoring is achieved through signage on campus that provides a clear and visible reminder to all individuals entering the building to not enter the facility if they are exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19 and to practice the required public health measures such as hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, etc.

The signage that will be deployed is as follows:

• Building entrance signage

  • Symptom monitoring 

  • Public health procedures 

• Hand washing posters in bathrooms

• Respiratory Etiquette poster

• Hand sanitizing posters

Active Monitoring

The intent of active monitoring is to reduce the potential for illness spread by identifying potential cases to ensure they are managed.

Employees are encouraged to monitor for symptoms while they are at home prior to comping to campus. 

Health Care or Health Sciences facilities may have different active screening protocols for individuals entering their spaces. These protocols must be adhered to.

Responding to a confirmed or potential COVID-19 case on campus

If you see someone on campus not following the university and/or Public Health COVID guidelines: 

• As with any health and safety concern, if you are comfortable having a conversation with someone who is not following the protocols, you can do so. It may simply be a situation where the person was not aware or forgot and this could be a teachable moment.  We are all in this together and everyone could play a part.

• For immediate intervention - Call Campus Security and Emergency Services – ext. 36111.

• For less urgent situations - Contact the Department of Environmental Health & Safety – ext. 32999.

For concerns regarding the COVID related protocols in your work location or department: 

• Following the internal responsibility system, you should raise the issue with your supervisor.

• If the issue is not resolved, contact the Department of Environmental Health & Safety – ext. 32999.

For concerns regarding building infrastructure (hand sanitizer at building entrances, cleaning of spaces, refill of soap in washrooms, etc.)  

• Contact Fixit – ext. 77301 or 613-533-6757 or fixit@queensu.ca. After hours - call 613-533-6080

For concerns regarding contractors on campus: 

• Contact Fixit – ext. 77301 or 613-533-6757 or fixit@queensu.ca. After hours - call 613-533-6080

• Facilities will address the on-campus requirements with the contractor’s personnel.

In the event that you have received a positive COVID-19 PCR or Rapid Antigen test result, you must comply with isolation requirements. Following your isolation period, you must wear a well-fitting mask while on campus until you reach 10 days following your symptom onset date or positive rapid test date.

In the event a department or supervisor is informed by an employee of a potential case of COVID-19 (due to symptoms or a positive RAT, RMT or PRC test), and/or close contact with an individual with COVID-19. the department should:

• Direct the employee to follow the isolation requirements stipulated by KFL&A Public Health.

• Determine whether the employee was on campus in the 48 hours prior to symptom onset or the positive test result.

• Work with the employee to determine close contacts as the result of being on site.  A close contact typically means a person who was in close proximity (less than 2 metres) for at least 15 minutes or for multiple short periods of time without appropriate measures, such as masks or other personal protective equipment. If assistance is needed in determining close contacts, contact the Department of Environmental Health & Safety (ext. 32999 or safety@queensu.ca).

• Notify close contacts about the potential exposure. This can be done by either the employee or the department.

• Direct contacts must monitor for symptoms for 10 days and follow the instructions for close contacts. Isolation is not typically required if the contacts remain symptom-free.

• Generally, notification of a potential positive case is not required beyond those identified as close contacts. 

• If an employee has informed their supervisor that they suspect they contracted COVID-19 at work, the supervisor must notify the Department of Environmental Health & Safety (ext.32999 or safety@queensu.ca).

Rapid Antigen Test results should be interpreted with caution, and individuals must continue to adhere to the necessary COVID-19 infection prevention and control measures, such as appropriate distancing, use of PPE, and hand washing, to reduce the risk of infection.

If your rapid screening test result reads NEGATIVE

• If you are asymptomatic and without known exposure to someone with COVID-19, you may proceed to campus.

• If you are asymptomatic and with known exposure to someone with COVID-19, you may proceed to campus only once you have completed a self assessment and the results indicate you do not need to isolate.

• If you are symptomatic, you must not come to campus until you have two negative rapid antigen tests taken 48 hours apart. You should isolate until you have no fever and your symptoms are improving for 24 hours (or 48 hours if experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms). 

If your rapid screening test result reads POSITIVE

Regardless of whether you are symptomatic or asymptomatic, a positive test result is highly indicative that you have COVID-19 and you must do the following:

• DO NOT come to campus.

• Follow the steps on what to do if you’ve been exposed to COVID-19.

• A positive test result does not need to be confirmed by a PCR test and does not need to be reported to the public health unit

• You  should inform all people that you were in close contact with 48 hours before your test if that you have tested positive.

• Following your isolation period, you must wear a well-fitting mask while on campus until you reach 10 days following your symptom onset date or positive rapid test date.

As of August 23, 2022:

At this time, proof of vaccination is not required to attend most in-person university activities or to live in Queen’s residence. 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.

Students, faculty, and staff in the Faculty of Health Sciences accessing hospitals or other external facilities are required to adhere to the guidelines, policies, and procedures of the institution which they are attending. As well, activities that involve any other third parties (such as health clinics, elementary and secondary schools, and other organizations where Queen’s students complete experiential learning placements) will continue to be subject to the COVID-19 safety requirements of those third parties, including any proof of vaccination requirements.  Students, staff, and faculty are advised to contact their respective Faculty for further details.

The university may reinstate its Policy Regarding Mandatory Vaccination Requirements for In-person University Activities, possibly on short notice, if the local public health environment changes, or if government mandates or public health recommendations restore proof of vaccination requirements.

If the university does reinstate its Policy, all students, faculty, staff, and others who cannot provide satisfactory proof of vaccination, based on the definition of “fully vaccinated” in place at that time, could find their in-person university activities restricted or discontinued.  This could impede students’ ability to remain in their classes or in residence. It could also impact the employment status of faculty and staff and the permitted activities of university contractors and visitors.

The university strongly recommends that every person intending to live, work or study on campus, or otherwise engage in in-person university activities, maintain up-to-date vaccinations and boosters to reduce the risk of an interruption to their studies, work, or access to university facilities and resources.