Winter term reminder of COVID-19 safety measures

We are reminding the university community, as announced in October, that anyone attending in-person learning or working at a USask location for the Winter term will be required to provide proof of full vaccination prior to the January start of term. Submitting rapid test results (or any other COVID test result) will no longer be an option for campus access, effective January 4, 2022.

Being considered “fully vaccinated” means receiving the last required dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to the start of the term.

For those who are already fully vaccinated and have submitted their vaccination status through PAWS, there is no further action required at this time. The university is consulting with Public Health on requirements for possible vaccine booster shots, and more information will be shared with the USask community when it is available.

For any students, faculty, and staff currently working or studying remotely who have not indicated that they are fully vaccinated in PAWS, you will be required to meet these vaccination requirements prior to any planned return to campus, including uploading an updated vaccination status and proof of vaccination. In order to facilitate a smooth transition back to campus, you will soon receive messages providing you with instructions and timelines.

Starting January 4, if you are not fully vaccinated or choose not to upload your vaccination status, you cannot access USask facilities for any reason, including the PAC, Huskie games, libraries, dining facilities, and any building, office, and classroom on our campuses. This requirement also extends to all vendors and contractors on our campuses and work locations.

We understand that some individuals are not able to be fully vaccinated for valid medical reasons, or on grounds that are protected in the Saskatchewan Human Rights Code. The university will continue to consider accommodation requests for these individuals in accordance with the requirements of the Code. Only those with an approved accommodation will be allowed on campus without being fully vaccinated. Previously approved accommodations from the Fall term will remain in effect through the Winter term. If you plan to apply for a vaccination accommodation, you must do so now to ensure that your return in January is not delayed due to the time required to review your application.

With the Winter term transition to significantly increased in-person teaching and research activities, all remaining staff requirements to work remotely will be lifted. Remote and hybrid work arrangements will still be available based on the operational needs of the respective unit or department. More January information for staff will be provided in the coming weeks. Through the Winter term, the university will continue to review current and post-pandemic learning, research, and work environments to determine how hybrid and remote work will best fit USask on an ongoing basis. 

Full vaccination for the entire USask community is the clearest and the most effective path to beating COVID-19 and its variants. The high vaccination rates of our students, faculty, and staff, the mandatory vaccination requirement for the Winter term, and our continued adherence to masking are allowing the university to move to significantly increased on-campus activities in January. These safety measures are necessary for the continued health and safety of our campus community.

Please consult our FAQ for more information. If you have any questions not covered in the FAQ, please email covid19@usask.ca.

Regards, 

USask Pandemic Response and Recovery Team (PRT)