On Campus

Community members may sit less than two (2) metres apart if they are patrons of a food/drink establishment that is following the vaccine certificate program requirements (i.e., checking proof of vaccination and identity, requiring masks unless patrons are at the table, etc.), even if the purpose of the meal is work-related. This includes restaurants, eateries and catering spaces temporarily designated as food establishments during events on campus.

Individuals with offices or private workstations may close their doors to remove their masks and eat/drink but should re-mask as soon as possible.

Many faculty and staff members and student employees share open workspaces. These individuals may briefly remove their masks to eat/drink at their desks, following these guidelines:

• You must be physically distant— at least two (2) metres apart from your peers/colleagues.
• Individuals can briefly pull down their mask to take a sip of a beverage (i.e. water, coffee/tea, juice) at their desk.
• Individuals should take turns or rotate eating a snack/meal so ideally all are masked and distanced except the person eating. If possible, designate a meeting room or space where individuals can go to eat.
• If you are eating/drinking and someone is approaching you, please put your mask back on.

Please be considerate and rotate eating times to ensure everyone in your workspace is masked whenever possible.

Eating is not permitted in meeting rooms or instructional spaces; however, individuals may bring a beverage (i.e. water, coffee/tea, juice) and pull their mask down to take an occasional sip.

For any other space outside of the options above, individuals must be physically distant— at least two (2) metres apart. This includes lounges and kitchenettes.

Meals, breaks, and events related to eating and drinking are known as higher risk for spread of COVID-19. It is important that we all remain diligent for the protection of ourselves and others:

• Wash or disinfect hands before/after eating or drinking. 
• Clean tables, microwaves, and other commonly handled items before/after use with 
• supplied disinfectant products. 
• Dispose of garbage. 
• Masks can be removed indoors only for eating or drinking when physically distanced 
• from others. 
• Put mask on as soon as possible after eating or drinking 

Given the additional oversight and rules in place at event spaces and restaurants, these venues are preferred over gatherings in private homes for any type of social gathering. For more information on booking events and additional spaces to eat on campus, please visit the eating guidelines page. 

The university has invested in developing different types of seating (Adirondack chairs, picnic tables, benches, stones) to allow for maximum utilization of green spaces on campus.

We have created these outdoor spaces while considering the needs and comfort of our students, staff and faculty members, including things like proximity to a strong wireless internet connection.

See this map for more details and locations around campus.

Libraries are open and almost all spaces will be open for use. Operating hours are posted on the libraries’ websites.   

Individual study space at all libraries will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. The library is also now open to visitors (e.g., alumni, researchers, community members), with requirements and safety measures outlined here.

New spaces are open on campus for McMaster students to eat, study and participate in their online tests or lectures. These spaces include classroom spaces that are currently not being used for in-person learning.

Students are welcome to use these spaces in between classes to eat a meal or to study after class. Please see details here.

McMaster’s Parking Services team is excited to welcome more students, staff and faculty members to campus. Please see parking options for Fall 2021 on Parking Services’ website.

Information on parking for winter 2022 is forthcoming.

Individual staff or faculty members who had parking passes before the pandemic will be offered the option to renew their parking pass, select a part-time option or choose to place their parking on hold while we adjust to our new normal. In the winter of 2022, these options will be reassessed and communicated.

We’re asking leaders to be inclusive and to prioritize flexibility for their teams when a return or partial return to working onsite is identified. This could include different start/end times to support new circumstances, such as a modified public transit schedule, that individuals may experience since the pandemic began.

The front of the Main Store (GH B101) has reopened for in-person shopping. Visit the Campus Store website for more information.

The Health Science Store (HSC 1G1) is open with controlled access based on Public Health retail capacity guidelines that are in place at the time.