Key Messages:
- Buildings will remain open until December 23, 2021
- Carleton University will be closed from December 24, 2021, to January 4, 2022
- Building access will be restricted from January 5 to 31, 2022
- Updates on campus services and events throughout January 2022
- Isolate for 10 days if you or a member of your household has COVID-19 symptoms
December 22, 2021
To all Members of the Carleton Community,
As noted in the President’s message of December 16, 2021, due to the rise of Omicron, employees are to only come to campus to perform necessary work that cannot be conducted remotely. These restrictions will remain in place until January 31, 2022. This message aims to provide a detailed update on building access protocols and campus services for January.
Please note that in line with our protocols throughout the fall, faculty and staff must complete a COVID-19 Self-Assessment in cuScreen and must be fully vaccinated to temporarily access their office during this period.
Holiday Closure
As previously communicated, Carleton University will be closed from Friday, December 24, 2021, through Tuesday, January 4, 2022, inclusively, and will re-open on Wednesday, January 5, 2022. Buildings will remain open until December 23, 2021, to allow faculty and staff to retrieve items they may need to operate remotely in January. Buildings will remain closed December 24, 2021, to January 4, 2022.
Restricted Building Access
Beginning January 5, 2022, access to the majority of university buildings will remain limited to authorized individuals only and public access will remain restricted. To access these buildings for necessary work that cannot be done remotely, please use your Campus Card or call Campus Safety Services (613-520-3612). Unlike previous protocols, faculty and staff do not require approval from their supervisor, manager or Dean for temporary access to their office. Faculty and staff must complete a COVID-19 Self-Assessment in cuScreen and must be fully vaccinated to temporarily access their office.
Carleton Athletics and the Library building will be closed from December 20, 2021 to January 9, 2022.
For up-to-date information on the status of buildings and other services, please visit the Building Updates webpage.
Dining Locations on Campus
As a result of the reduced activity on campus in January 2022, most dining locations on campus will be closed. However, and subject to public health requirements, the Tim Hortons in Richcraft Hall will re-open on January 5, 2022, and the Starbucks in Residence Commons will re-open on January 10, 2022. The first meal served in the caf for the winter term will be dinner on January 9, 2022, with take-out options only, set meal periods and a streamlined menu. The Oasis will also resume late-night take out only service for students on January 10, 2022. More details will be available on the Dining Services website.
Updates on Campus Services and Events
Mail delivery by Mail Services is currently on hold until further notice and individuals can schedule an appointment for pick-up. Please note that couriers will not make deliveries to individual campus locations (other than those regularly delivered to Science Stores). For all courier deliveries, please ensure that you specify the delivery location as your home or make alternate arrangements with your courier.
The Bookstore will remain open for in-person and online shopping, subject to public health guidelines. The Print Shop will continue to accept orders by email and through eShop with delivery or curbside pickup by appointment only. Campus Card and U-Pass services will be available by appointment only beginning January 5, 2022.
All in-person Carleton conferences and events have been cancelled until January 31, 2022.
Isolation Requirements
Due to more people testing positive for COVID-19 and the emergence of the Omicron variant, Ottawa Public Health is changing case and contact management practices in Ottawa. Individuals who have symptoms of COVID-19 and who are unable to access a timely COVID-19 test should assume that they are infected with Omicron and self-isolate immediately for 10 days from symptom onset. All members of the individual’s household, regardless of vaccination status, are also directed to self-isolate. For more information, please visit the Ottawa Public Health website and follow their directions.
The unprecedented spread of the Omicron variant is a reminder that we need to continue following public health guidelines to reduce transmission and prevent our health system from becoming overwhelmed. We encourage you to reassess your holiday plans, specifically any international travel and attendance at large gatherings, and we strongly encourage you to get your third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you are eligible.
These are challenging times, and we continue to adjust to changing circumstances in real time. We wish you all the best for a safe and restful holiday season.
Sincerely,
Suzanne Blanchard
COVID-19 Lead
Wednesday, December 22, 2021 in Coronavirus
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