Health & safety

Our safety programming is informed by guidance and direction from the provincial health officer and the Post-Secondary Public Health Guidance from the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC).

Due to our high rate of vaccination, Island Health does not consider UVic a high-risk setting.

If you're sick

Please do a daily health self-assessment before coming to campus.

If you're sick or have symptoms of COVID-19:

stay home and let your instructor or supervisor know about your absence
- students: learn what to do if you have to miss class
use the COVID-19 self-assessment tool to see if you should get tested
call 811 if you need medical advice
follow the BCCDC guidance for how to self-monitor and self-isolate

Even if you do not have COVID-19, you should stay home if you feel sick. This will help stop the spread of other illnesses, especially during cold and flu season.

Additional information for:

students needing academic concessions or accommodations
students living in campus housing
faculty and librarian leaves of absence and medical accommodations
staff leaves and accommodations
wellness resources

COVID-19 tests

Rapid antigen at-home test kits for COVID-19

COVID-19 rapid antigen at-home test kits are available to students, staff and faculty.

You can pick up a rapid test kit at 2 locations on campus using your ONECard. You do not need to make an appointment.

UVic Bookstore, open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Campus Security, open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Please do not attend these locations if you have symptoms consistent with COVID-19. You can send someone to pick up a kit on your behalf.

Masks

Masks are no longer required in most indoor public spaces across the province.

While on campus, we strongly encourage you to wear a mask in indoor spaces where you may be close to others or feel more comfortable doing so.

Wearing a mask in public indoor settings is a personal choice.

Some areas on campus are required to continue following sector-specific guidelines mandating the use of masks indoors, including healthcare locations.

Vaccinations

The COVID-19 vaccine is available to everyone 5+ who lives or works in BC. COVID-19 vaccines are safe and protect against infection.

COVID-19 vaccination locations

UVic employees are entitled to up to 3 hours of paid leave to be vaccinated against COVID-19, if required.

Vaccination on campus

Current students can book an appointment to get the vaccine at the Student Wellness Centre.

Vaccination in the community

Proof of vaccination - care locations

students, faculty members, researchers and post-secondary institution staff members are required to show proof of vaccination to access care locations for training or research purposes
unvaccinated students, faculty members, researchers and post-secondary institution staff members are not permitted to access care locations for training or research purposes

Cleaning & additional safety measures

As per BCCDC guidelines, there are no COVID-19-specific cleaning requirements. Educational spaces are cleaned and disinfected following our usual protocols.

Hand sanitizer

We are continuing to supply hand sanitizer stations at all main entrances to buildings, and have added more stations in buildings with higher occupancy levels to promote hand hygiene.

Building air quality & ventilation

Building ventilation continues to meet WorkSafeBC requirements and UVic has introduced more ventilation measures as part of our COVID-19 health and safety plans.

For more information on these topics, visit the UVic Communicable Disease Safety Plan.

Travel safety

With approval, university-related travel is now allowed to countries and regions listed by Global Affairs Canada (Travel Health Notices) at “Level 1: practice usual precautions” and “Level 2: practice special precautions.”

Where travel is allowed, you're expected to understand the risks and restrictions in place at your destination.

Find COVID-19 travel safety information for students, faculty and staff.

Wellness resources

For students

book an appointment with the Student Wellness team (counsellors, physicians, spiritual care providers and more)
SupportConnect is a free and confidential 24/7 mental health service for UVic students
graduate students with a valid BC MSP number can use telehealth services to talk to a licensed physician online or over the phone
there are many community resources for health and wellness available to you throughout the Greater Victoria area