In-person classes resume Monday, proof of vaccination requirements

On Sept. 15, the Government of Alberta announced new measures to combat the spread of COVID-19 in the province of Alberta. These measures restrict indoor activity unless participants are vaccinated against COVID-19 or provide a recent negative COVID-19 test.

While our COVIDSafe Campus program aligns with these requirements, the Government of Alberta will only begin recognizing these systems on Monday, Sept. 20, which is what forced a pause for in-person classes.

In-person activity will resume on Monday, Sept. 20, with previously announced rules around mandatory masking, vaccination or enrolment in regular rapid testing. Effective Monday, Sept. 20, anybody non-compliant with the University of Calgary’s COVIDSafe Campus program will not be permitted on campus.

In the coming days, all members of the University of Calgary community who have attested that they are vaccinated will be required to upload proof of vaccination using the COVIDSafe Campus systems.

Impact of new public health rules on UCalgary

Until government-recognized proof of vaccination or negative rapid test programs begin on Sept. 20, the Government of Alberta is requiring – without exception – that everyone be masked and maintain two-metre physical distance from all others in indoor spaces. While we are already masking, the physical distancing is not possible within the confines of our classrooms, hallways or shared spaces. This has necessitated the pause of in-person classes through Sunday.

Starting on Monday, Sept. 20, provincial rules will require that the University of Calgary allow only those who are vaccinated or who have had a negative rapid test within 72 hours to attend campus if we do not want to be subject to two-metre physical distancing and other restrictions.

Our COVIDSafe Campus program aligns to these requirements, protects our safety, and allows us to maintain operations as previously planned. More than 37,000 members of our campus community already registered in the app to come to campus, and 91.3 per cent of those community members are fully vaccinated.

To ensure that we can prove full compliance with government regulations in a timely fashion, everyone on campus who has attested to being vaccinated must be prepared to provide proof of vaccination status.

This ability to prove vaccination is a requirement to be on campus and in the coming days, you will be asked to upload this proof into the COVIDSafe Campus application. How this will operate, and when it will begin accepting proof of vaccination, will be shared with you as soon as it has been finalized.

 How to get your proof of vaccination status 

 The Government of Alberta has identified options for how to demonstrate proof of vaccination.

• Online records: official vaccine records are available on MyHealth Records. A printable card will be available on the site starting Sept. 19. Details on how to access MyHealth Records can be found on the Alberta government website here.
• Paper records: you may also have received a paper immunization record at your vaccination appointment.
• Children: Those under the age of 12 would not need to provide proof of immunization or a negative test at this time.

We have a large out-of-province and international community and we do not have details yet about how those who were vaccinated in other jurisdictions can also obtain proof of vaccination status. We encourage you to explore your options with the region or jurisdiction where you obtained your Health Canada-approved vaccination. As we have more details of how this proof of vaccination applies to you, we will share them.

Safe return to campus

September has been a month of adjustments. We remain committed to returning our classes and our community to campus. Maintaining the health and well-being of our campus community while providing the best possible learning, teaching and research environment is our main focus.

Rapid testing is still being accepted as an alternative to vaccination through the fall. As of Jan. 1, 2022 it will be a requirement for all members of our community, unless they have an exception based on a protected ground, to be vaccinated to be on campus.

More updates will be coming regarding next steps we will need everyone to do to be able to return to campus. We are committed to providing as much information as possible to help everyone make informed decisions.

Ed McCauley
President and Vice-Chancellor