Health and safety guidelines in residence

We strongly urge all students to stay up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccinations, which means receiving every vaccine dose for which they are eligible. 

The following rules are in effect in student residences managed by uOttawa Housing and Residence Life (HRL) and apply to all residents and their guests while on residence property as defined in the residence contract applicable to all residences. There are also the campus-wide COVID-19 safety rules, which govern conduct elsewhere on uOttawa premises and apply to you when you are not on residence property. 

HRL will follow all health and safety measures required by federal, provincial and municipal government authorities, and public health authorities, as well as other emerging and leading practices. 

Employees of uOttawa HRL, guest speakers, and other third-party service providers are not governed by COVID-19 residence rules but must follow uOttawa COVID-19 and public health guidelines, which may differ from those that apply to residents. 

These rules are in place to help maintain the health and safety of you and all members of the residence community. It is important that you comply with these rules, and stay informed of any changes to them, to minimize the potential spread of COVID-19. Failure to follow these rules may result in residence standards actions, up to and including termination of your residence contract and removal from residence. 

Residence services, amenities, and rules may change, often on short notice, to respond as the situation changes. 

If you have been exposed to someone who is symptomatic or who has tested positive for COVID-19:

• You DO NOT need to self-isolate. 

• You MUST wear a mask for ten days and self-monitor for symptoms. You can remove your mask briefly for health and safety reasons, such as to take a shower, brush your teeth, take medication, eat, drink, and sleep. Masks are available in dispensers in the lobby of your residence.

• You CAN participate in all regular activities (e.g., classes, work, etc.) so long as you take all necessary precautions, such as sanitizing or washing your hands regularly and wearing a mask.

• Avoid NON-ESSENTIAL visits to high-risk settings, such as long-term care homes or hospitals. 

• If you develop symptoms, see below.

• Visit the Ontario Public Health website for more information about COVID and self-isolation.

If you have symptoms, such as fever, cough, or runny nose, or if you test positive for COVID-19:

• You MUST isolate in your room until your fever is gone and your symptoms are improving.
• You will NOT be moved to another unit to isolate, and neither will your roommates. 
• You DO NOT need to isolate for five full days (only isolate until your fever is gone and your symptoms are improving).
• While isolating, you MUST wear a mask in all shared spaces, such as common kitchens and bathrooms (including a shared bedroom). You may remove your mask briefly for health and safety reasons, such as to take a shower, brush your teeth, take medication, eat, drink and sleep. Masks are available in dispensers in the lobby of your residence.
• You are NOT permitted guests while you are isolating.
• If you are a 5-day or 7-day meal plan holder, you MUST fill out the COVID reporting form to arrange for takeout meal service from the dining hall. (Note that this service is available to meal plan holders only). If possible, arrange for a friend to pick up your meals at the dining hall (they should ask for a takeout container at the cash). If you must pick it up yourself, please wear a mask and wash or sanitize your hands before leaving your unit and ask for a takeout meal at the cash. You should NOT enter the dining hall to choose food for yourself. Meals can be heated up in the common kitchen in your residence if you do not have a microwave in your unit, but all meals should be eaten in your unit.
• If you ARE NOT a meal plan holder, you are responsible for your own meals. If you do not have enough groceries or food, you may arrange for a friend to pick up food for you or for a grocery/meal service to deliver food to the lobby of your residence. When picking up food in the lobby, wear a mask and sanitize your hands before leaving your unit.
• You CANNOT participate in regular activities (e.g. classes, work, intramurals) while isolating.
• Please NOTIFY close contacts, your professors, and your employer that you are isolating.
• You MUST wear a mask for ten days after you stop isolating and avoid NON-ESSENTIAL visits to high-risk settings, such as long-term care homes or hospitals.
• Visit the Ontario Public Health website for more information about COVID and self-isolation.

Information for meal plan holders during COVID isolation  

Please save a copy of the COVID reporting form on your mobile device and bring it with you to the Dining Hall to show the cashier when picking up your meals. You can designate, in the form, up to 3 friends to pick up meals for you. Please provide them with a copy of the COVID reporting form (digital or print) that they must show to the cashier, in addition to a piece of ID.  

Takeout meal service is available at the Dining Hall for up to 5 days after submitting the COVID reporting form. Takeout meals are not available on Saturday and Sunday for 5 day meal plan holders. 

Please note that vegetarian/vegan and Halal options are offered through regular meal options for pickup. If you are part of the Dietary Restrictions Program, please fill out the COVID reporting form AND contact the dietitian.

COVID quarantine guidelines for international students

Students travelling to Canada who are required to quarantine should visit the uOInternational quarantine website for more details on how to quarantine.  Quarantine for students who have travelled outside of Canada is not permitted in residence. 

Events in residence according to COVID guidelines

We will be hosting events in all residences, so long as public health guidelines permit doing so, which may change at any time.