Safety is McMaster’s top priority for winter term

As McMaster prepares for the full return of all students, faculty and staff to campus in January 2022, safety continues to be the top priority.  

As part of our safety strategy, McMaster will build upon its proactive and thorough layers of safety already in place or the fall term: 

• McMaster’s vaccination mandate is in full effect as of Oct. 18. Only students, staff and faculty members who are fully vaccinated or have received an approved exemption on human rights grounds can attend campus.  
• MacCheck must be used for daily health screening before coming to campus. A green check mark in MacCheck means you are clear to attend a McMaster site that day.   
• Back to Mac COVID Training is required for all students, faculty members and staff coming to campus, either for the first time or if you had not been on campus during the pandemic. The training provides education on how to do your part in preventing COVID transmission.  
• Enhancing our ventilation plan by meeting six equivalent air changes per hour (eACH) in all classrooms and lecture theatres on campus. This is what is considered “Ideal” in the recommended approach outlined in the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s Healthy Buildings for Health. It is anticipated that this work will be complete by January 10, 2022, in time for the start of the winter academic term.This enhancement is an addition to our comprehensive ventilation strategy already in place, and exceeds Public Health guidelines. 
• A Student Symptomatic COVID-19 Testing Centre is open on campus, providing quick access to testing for students who develop symptoms of COVID-19 or have learned they have been exposed to the virus.  

As part of our ongoing safety plan development, McMaster continues to consult our experts and the latest evidence, as well as collaborate with our Environmental & Occupational Health Support Services (EOHSS) team. McMaster follows all safety guidelines required by the province of Ontario and Public Health. Our safety plan will continue to evolve, adding additional layers of safety when required.  

McMaster’s Back to Mac website has the latest information on our safety plan including vaccination, distancing, masking, screening, training, testing, reporting, cleaning and ventilation. Keep following for more updates.