On Monday, VP of Student Success Chris McGrath released a statement providing a list of changes to health and safety protocol on campus beginning May 1, including the removal of the college’s mask and physical distancing requirements. 

Earlier this month, GBC announced that proof of vaccination would no longer be needed to enter any one of its three campuses in tandem with the province’s loosening of restrictions in public areas. Additionally, the majority of programs were and still are set to transition to a hybrid mode of delivery.  

In addition to these mandates, students will no longer have to complete a screening before visiting the school, and will otherwise not be obligated to report symptoms to the college, although they are still encouraged to follow city protocol if they are feeling unwell. 

Cafeterias and lounge areas that were previously closed off will reintroduce seating.  

While the college will be relaxing its COVID-19 measures, masks and hand sanitizer will still be available throughout the building for those who choose to use them. 

Note that proof of full vaccination and PPE will still be necessary for students working with vulnerable populations or contaminants, such as those who are in clinical placements, the WAVE clinic, labs and early childhood centres.  

These changes are in line with what many other colleges and universities, such as Humber, University of Toronto, Guelph, Waterloo and Queen’s, have chosen to implement. The decision also aligns with provincial guidelines.  

However, with cases rapidly increasing once again, it is unclear as to whether tight restrictions will be reintroduced in the future. 

As Public Health Expert Ian Culbert remarked in an earlier interview: “We need to remain constantly vigilant, given the possibility of new variants and the possibility of future outbreaks.” 

Current pandemic policy will remain in effect until the end of the semester.