Western University moves classes online, asks students in residence to go home
The university is also expanding its COVID-19 testing hours
Amid climbing rates of COVID-19 in the community, many of them variants of concern, Western University is moving most of its classes online and asking students living in residence to consider moving out.
"These were difficult decisions," said President Alan Shepard in a statement. "Positive cases are continuing to rise across the region and the province – and we're seeing that pattern emerging among our students and in some residences. We want to do everything we can to stop the spread."
The news comes as a fifth COVID-19 outbreak has been declared in a residence at Western, according to the Middlesex London Health Unit. The latest outbreak is at Medway-Sydenham Hall Residence. The health unit says there are eight students who have tested positive for coronavirus.
Outbreaks at Ontario Hall, Saugeen-Maitland Hall and Elgin Hall remain active. An outbreak declared at Essex Hall on March 2 is now declared over.
Earlier this week, the university mandated that everyone on campus must wear a three-layer non-medical mask (rather than a cloth mask), indoors and in the presence of others. Campus residence common areas were also closed.
Today, the university said students who can move out of residence and go home by April 11 can get prorated refunds. Those students are asked to quarantine at home for two weeks.
Students who can't go home until after exams, or who are currently in quarantine or isolation will continue to get housing and supports.
The vast majority of classes will move online, with the exception of some health-related programs such as medicine, nursing and rehabilitation sciences, and a small number of non-health-related programs
"This has been an incredibly difficult year for everyone," Shepard said.
"I've seen most members of our community really rise to the challenge, and I know we can push through. We need to stay on guard, and stay safe. The finish line is approaching."
The university is also expanding its on-campus COVID-19 testing centre hours. Today the centre is open until 4 p.m. It will be open Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.