Sask. universities tweak public health policies as province moves ahead on removing restrictions
Masking requirements will stay in place in some form on U of Regina, U of Sask. campuses
While the province of Saskatchewan is dropping its proof of vaccination or negative test requirements as of Monday, those requirements will remain in place for now at the University of Regina and University of Saskatchewan.
Earlier this week, Premier Scott Moe announced the province's proof of COVID-19 vaccination policy will end on Monday and its masking requirement will not be renewed when it expires at the end of the month.
The U of R said in a news release that students, faculty and staff who regularly go to campus will need to continue providing proof of vaccination against COVID-19.
The release said unvaccinated people, or those who are undeclared, will be "required to self-conduct rapid antigen tests three times per week, and submit those test results to the vaccination portal."
The self-testing protocols will remain in place until April 11, the last day of classes for the current semester.
The university will not require proof of vaccination for periodic visitors who are attending an on-campus event or activity, starting Monday.
The U of R will keep masking requirements until further notice and says it will evaluate them as the term continues.
Mask use continues at U Sask
The University of Saskatchewan, which has required all members of the campus community to be fully vaccinated to participate in on-campus activities, will require those who are unvaccinated and on campus regularly to do rapid tests three times a week and upload results to the university until April 8.
Test kits will be supplied by the university, according to a Friday news release from the U of S.
In the release, the university said 99 per cent of its campus community is fully vaccinated.
Masking in all indoor locations on all campuses will continue to be required until April 30.
As of Monday, though, visitors to campus do not need to show proof of vaccination.
"With the effects of the pandemic projected to continue in Saskatchewan for a while longer, we believe the health and safety measures outlined above are necessary to ensure the safety of our campus community and beyond, which is our top priority," the release said.
"This approach will enable us to successfully complete winter term and offer the level of in-person activity originally planned."