Reporting & Isolation

If you feel ill, please do not come to campus. You’re also encouraged to follow guidelines for isolation and testing outlined by the provincial government.

If employees test positive for COVID-19 on a rapid antigen test or a PCR test and have attended a McMaster location in the past 14 days, complete the COVID-19 Positive Case Reporting Tool in Mosaic.  

Students are no longer required to report cases, but learners in health professional programs should check with their program offices for instructions on reporting to placement locations.

COVID-19 reporting protocols for faculty and staff can be found here.

Public reporting of COVID cases on the Back to Mac website continues to be paused.

Provided by Public Health Ontario, see the recommended self-isolation steps for caregivers, household members and close contacts.

• If the provincial COVID-19 self-assessment tool indicates that isolating is required, follow the province’s current isolation guidelines, which are provided in the tool. Ontario Public Health has also provided guidance on how to isolate.  
   
• If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 (even with a negative rapid antigen test or PCR test) you are still expected to follow the isolation recommendations you receive from the Provincial COVID-19 self-assessment tool.   

• Students are encouraged to use the McMaster Student Absence Form (MSAF) through Mosaic if their screening results recommend that they isolate and are not permitted to come to campus. The MSAF is available in Mosaic by navigating to the student centre and clicking the drop-down menu under ‘other academics.’
• Students will be able to access any additional MSAF forms through their Faculty Academic Advising Office if they need to miss additional class time due to illness, isolation or other personal reasons.

• You may find yourself in a situation where you are directed to isolate after completing a self-assessment through the MacCheck and provincial screening tool.
• If you are feeling well enough to teach, you may need to temporarily pivot to virtual or remote teaching.  
• If you are not well enough to teach, you can choose to cancel or defer your class and follow normal absence reporting protocols.  
• Please communicate promptly and clearly to your students on Avenue to Learn through the various channels so they are aware if the class will be offered virtually, deferred or cancelled. In addition, please keep your department chair informed. 
• When isolation is required, please see McMaster guidance for workplace arrangements for more information.
• Department leaders and supervisors have been provided with information about how to support faculty and staff members who require isolation or are unwell. 

• If you are not well enough to work, you should review the absence provisions in accordance with your collective agreement or employment terms and follow normal absence reporting protocols.  
• If remote work is available and you are well enough, your leader may enable and support remote work. 
• If remote work is not possible, or if you are not well enough to work, follow normal absence reporting protocols. When isolation is required, please see McMaster guidance for workplace arrangements for more information.
• Leaders and supervisors have been provided with information about how to support faculty and staff members who require isolation or are unwell. 

There are also resources available to support employee wellbeing and mental health, including Employee Well-being sessions, Employee and Family Assistance Program and the Mental Health Matters website.