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New provincial guidance for eating and meeting spaces

Two employees at La Piazza cash registers.

Effective today, Monday, January 31st, some indoor settings are reopening with new limits. Following provincial guidance, the following spaces on campus are now open at 50 per cent capacity: 

  • Restaurants and eateries 
  • Meeting spaces and conference rooms 
  • Campus Stores 
  • McMaster sports facilities 

Eating on campus

Eating is permitted across campus, except for in specific areas, such as instructional spaces and libraries. However, community members should limit their time with their masks off and keep proper distance from others.  

Please see general guidance for eating and drinking below: 

  • Limit the amount of time eating in a shared space, and immediately replace your mask when not in the act of eating. 
  • If you are not eating, the library is a better space for studying, where masks are required. 
  • Please keep a minimum of 2m distancing, distance more if you can. 
  • Large rooms and spaces are better, with as much distancing as possible.  
  • Wash or disinfect hands before/after eating or drinking. 
  • Clean tables, microwaves, and other commonly handled items before/after use.  
  • Dispose of garbage. 
  • Masks can be removed indoors only for eating or drinking 

For specific guidance on catered events, eating at a restaurant, workspace, or in a lounge or kitchenette, please see this section of the Back to Mac website on eating: 

VIEW EATING GUIDELINES 

In-person meetings

In-person meetings may resume as of Monday, January 31st, following guidelines for meetings, including masking and physical distancing.   

  • In-person meetings on campus may be scheduled. These need to achieve physical distancing and a reasonable attempt should be made to accommodate attendees who work remotely.  
  • Physical distancing (always keep a minimum distance of 6 feet(2m) from others) must be maintained when on campus in meeting space. 
  • Eating is not permitted at this time in meeting rooms or instructional spaces, but you may bring water/coffee/tea/juice and lower your mask to take a sip. 

Need support? 

  • For more details on planning meetings during this time please see this page dedicated to meeting tips 
  • Register here for February 15th training session: For more advice and support on planning a meeting that is inclusive of remote and in-person participants. 
  • To help you decide whether your meeting should be in-person, online or hybrid, check out the resource below. 

WHAT KIND OF MEETING SHOULD THIS BE? 

Remember a layered approach to safety measures will further reduce your risk of COVID-19 exposure. At McMaster, the measures in place include our vaccination mandate, MacCheck health screening, masking indoors, and following best practices in ventilation and cleaning. Learn more about McMaster’s layered approach to safety measures on our website. 

 Back to Mac Updates,  COVID-19 Updates