With COVID-19 cases trending downwards across the province and 93 per cent of Ontarians aged 12 years and older fully vaccinated, Brock University will pause its COVID-19 vaccination requirement effective Monday, July 4. All members of the Brock community are still strongly encouraged to become vaccinated against COVID-19 and to keep up to date on boosters.

Brock’s decision is reflective of trends in the sector and the broader community, with the Government of Ontario having lifted its vaccine mandate in March 2022. Most colleges and universities in Ontario removed their vaccine requirements earlier this year.

While masks will still be encouraged in settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained, the University will also lift its mask requirement.

This pause also applies to residences, where vaccination and masks will not be required as of July 4.

Masks and/or vaccines may continue to be required in specific research settings, especially for some types of in-person human participant research, as determined with the guidance of the Research Ethics Board.

Brock will continue to take appropriate steps to maintain a safe work and learning environment on campus as the pandemic evolves, including maintaining upgrades to ventilation systems on campus that were first introduced in September 2021.

For this reason, both the vaccine and mask requirements are subject to change on short notice should the public health situation require it.