With a provincewide emergency shutdown set to begin Saturday, April 3, Brock University has announced the remainder of Winter Term classes will be held online.

While the vast majority of classes this term had already been running online, a few were being held on campus, but those also transitioned online last week when Brock moved back into Brock Stage 1 (Grey/Lockdown) of its own COVID-19 response framework.

As was originally planned, all Winter Term final exams will also be held in a virtual format.

“We understand that the Winter Term has been a challenging one for Brock students, staff, faculty members and professional librarians,” said Brock Provost and Vice-President, Academic Lynn Wells. “The decision to return to online instruction for all courses was not made lightly, but is essential to ensure the health and safety of our Brock community. The current outbreak does not affect Brock’s plans to return some courses to campus in the Spring/Summer Term, nor does it impact our preparations for a substantial return to campus in the Fall.”

The University moved back into Brock Stage 1 (Grey/Lockdown) on Thursday, March 25 after learning a number of individuals had tested positive for COVID-19. An outbreak was then declared in student residences by Niagara Region Public Health on Friday, March 26.

Brock continues to work closely with Public Health and is following all recommendations to address the situation. Public Health will determine when the outbreak has come to an end and updates will be provided to the Brock community as they become available.

Until further notice, the following measures remain in place to limit the risk of further spread:

• All Winter Term classes remain online or in an alternative format initiated when Brock entered Stage 1 (Grey/Lockdown).
• Research that had been previously approved under Stage 2 continues under existing COVID-19 safety protocols.
• Athletic facilities in the Walker Sports Complex including the Zone Fitness Centre, Brock pool, gymnasia and Brock Sport Performance Centre are temporarily closed.
• Common areas such as the James A. Gibson Library and Computer Commons are temporarily closed.
• In any additional operational areas of campus where the risk of transmission is high, mitigation measures are being taken.
• A full cleaning of the entire main Brock campus, Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts downtown and Hamilton campus takes place each day and additional efforts to disinfect high-traffic areas is taking place.

With the arrival of the Easter holiday weekend, it is important to remember that we all must take steps to limit the spread of COVID-19:

• Maintain physical distancing of at least two metres
• Wear face coverings in all common areas on campus and anytime physical distancing isn’t possible
• Wash and sanitize your hands frequently
• Stay home unless you must go out
• Contact public health if you’re experiencing symptoms

For more information on Brock University’s COVID-19 response, please visit brocku.ca/coronavirus