Further steps to limit the spread of COVID-19 were announced by the Ontario government on Monday, Dec. 21 with a provincewide lockdown coming later this week.

Effective Saturday, Dec. 26, the Niagara region will join the rest of the province in moving into a lockdown under Ontario’s COVID-19 response framework. This will be effective for at least 28 days until Friday, Jan. 22.

Brock University had previously announced it was moving into Stage 2 of its own Stages of Response and Recovery plan effective at 12:01 a.m. Monday to align with the government moving Niagara region into the Red (Control) classification.

With Niagara being moved into the lockdown classification, Brock will move into its Stage 1 effective Thursday, Dec. 24 at noon. This will further impact a number of areas as the University modifies its operations to abide by public health guidelines. These include:

• All classes will move online, with the exception of a small number of programs allowed under the provincial framework. This exception will primarily affect Brock’s Nursing program, though other affected programs may be communicated to students by Deans. As a result, most Brock students will begin the Winter Term online and remain online-only until further notice.
• For those students who had on-campus classes on their timetable in the Winter Term, instructors will be in touch to provide further information.
• Indoor social gatherings are not permitted, and outdoor social gatherings are limited to 10 people, provided physical distancing can be maintained.
• All meeting and event spaces are closed.
• Food service at Guernsey Market will be takeout only. Indoor dining is suspended until further notice.
• University residences will continue to operate as planned, with the current mitigation measures such as significantly reduced occupancy and the no guest policy continuing. Further, residence students must leave by noon the day following their last exam, or by noon Wednesday, Dec 23, whichever comes first, and may return after noon on Sunday, Jan. 3.
• The James A. Gibson Library is only open for contactless book pickup. Study space is closed.
• The Computer Commons is closed.
• The Campus Store is open for online sales only with shipping available.
• All sports and recreation facilities are closed.
• Only time-sensitive research will be permitted. For the latest guidance on research access and the impact moving to Grey will have, please visit the Brock Coronavirus FAQ for research.
• The Brock-Niagara Centre for Health and Well-Being will be closed throughout the lockdown, and plans to reopen Jan. 25.

As announced by the provincial government Monday, the lockdown will remain in effect until at least Friday, Jan. 22. With Brock’s Winter Term classes starting on Monday, Jan. 11, updates will be provided on changes as virtually all classes will begin the Term online and remain there until further notice.

Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to monitor their email, brocku.ca and Brock social media accounts for further updates on Niagara’s designation and any impact it may have on Brock.

For more information about Brock’s COVID-19 measures, please visit brocku.ca/coronavirus