Provincewide Shutdown Information

December 22, 2020

To All Members of the Carleton Community,

Key messages:

Ottawa is included in the Provincewide Shutdown beginning Dec. 26, 2020
Changes to on-campus operations and closures announced
Reminder of on-campus and at-home mitigation measures and procedures

With the continued rise in COVID-19 cases, the Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and other health experts, yesterday announced it is imposing a Provincewide Shutdown, including the City of Ottawa, effective Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020, at 12:01 a.m. As a result, Carleton is implementing the following measures:

The closure of all athletics facilities from 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 24, 2020 until further notice.
The closure of the library building to students and faculty from Dec. 24, 2020 until further notice. Online services will resume on Jan. 6, 2021, and curbside pickup will resume on Jan. 11, 2021.
The Bookstore will offer curbside pickup only beginning Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021.
Campus Card and U-Pass services will be available by appointment only beginning Jan. 6, 2021.
The suspension of all in-person Carleton conferences and events until further notice.
All on-campus dining locations will operate as take-out only.
Residence will remain open with increased mitigation measures. Students living in residence will receive a separate email with additional information.

At Carleton, pre-approved on-campus research can continue and some non-essential faculty and staff can continue to access their personal offices on campus with the appropriate approval; however, any non-essential employee who is able to work remotely is expected to continue working remotely. If you are coming to campus, anyone entering a Carleton University building is required to complete the COVID-19 Screening Form daily, wear a mask and maintain physical distancing.

As a reminder, anyone who has been on campus in the 14 days prior to the onset of symptoms potentially linked to COVID-19, has had a positive COVID-19 test result or has been advised by public health authorities that they must self-isolate, is required to submit a report.

More information will be provided on Carleton’s COVID-19 website as it becomes available.

We all have an important role to play in terms of reducing transmission, preventing our health system from becoming overwhelmed and saving lives. You are encouraged to please do your part over the holiday break by respecting the following measures imposed by the province:

Restricting indoor organized public events and social gatherings, except with members of the same household (the people you live with). Individuals who live alone may consider having exclusive close contact with one other household.
Staying at home as much as possible to minimize transmission of the virus and prevent hospitals from becoming overwhelmed.
Travelling outside of your region and/or the province for essential purposes only.
Anyone arriving or returning to Ontario from another province during the Provincewide Shutdown period should self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival.
Continuing to follow the information and guidelines of Ottawa Public Health.

These are unprecedented times, and we continue to adjust to changing circumstances in real time. We wish you all the best for the holiday season and the new year – in the hope that 2021 is not quite as challenging as 2020.

Sincerely,

Suzanne Blanchard
COVID-19 Lead