While various levels of government have recently started loosening COVID-19-related public health measures, the University of Toronto and other post-secondary institutions show every sign of remaining cautious.
In line with the ongoing trend of governments relaxing pandemic restrictions, the Ontario Government implemented the second phase of its COVID-19 reopening plan in early March, which included removing its proof of vaccination system and lifting capacity limits in different commercial venues. The federal government further reduced entry requirements for fully vaccinated travelers in late February.
In addition, on March 9, 2022, the Ford government announced an expedited plan to lift the provincial mask mandate on March 21, alongside various other COVID-19 isolation protocols.
On the other hand, since announcing increased in-person learning in late January, UofT has not revealed any plans to reduce its own COVID-19 safety measures.
The University’s media relations department further indicated to The Strand that it would not follow the Ontario Government’s lead in removing its mandatory vaccination policy for the rest of the school year. This is in line with advice from the Council of Ontario Universities.
Bethany Osborne, the Director of Communications of Ontario’s Ministry of Colleges and Universities, told The Strand that the government’s recent removal of restrictions does not have a binding effect on post-secondary institutions. In an emailed statement, she said that such institutions “are legally autonomous and have the discretion to maintain vaccination policies on their campuses.”
Students who spoke with The Strand had differing opinions on whether UofT should follow the government’s lead in reducing public safety measures.
Eden Zorne, an undergraduate pursuing European studies, History, Russian, and Ukrainian, told The Strand, “UofT needs to keep the vaccine requirement… I mean, look at the ‘Freedom Convoy.’ Those aren’t the type of people I want to be in non-socially distanced classes with.”
However, others pointed out the challenges associated with continued limited contact, including less accessibility to the school’s facilities. Chiara Dessberg, a first-year student studying humanities, said, “while it is difficult sometimes to kind of manage school and social aspects with the COVID restrictions… I think right now it’s been pretty effective for the most part.”
The UofT Students’ Union, UofT Mississauga Students’ Union, and UofT Scarborough Campus Students’ Union did not reply to requests for comment on their positions and advocacy regarding pandemic measures on campus.
