U of C says no changes to vaccine directive or masking mandate in COVID-19 update

Student housing at University of Calgary is scarce this year as the residences are full for the first time in a decade.

The University of Calgary released a response to the province's lifting of restrictions Tuesday evening, saying that their plans remained the same.

"There will be no immediate changes to the University of Calgary’s Vaccination Directive or its masking mandate," the university said in a COVID-19 update. "The COVIDSafe Campus protocols are not part of the Government of Alberta’s Restriction Exemption Program.

"The university is currently assessing the changes to public health requirements and will provide a further update on health and safety protocols in the coming days.

"As we first communicated on January 14, classes and class components originally planned to be in-person will be in-person instruction on campus following reading week. Classes originally planned to be offered remotely will continue online."

Kenney announced earlier Tuesday that rules that require students to wear masks in Alberta schools will end on Monday, and children under 12 won't have to wear masks anywhere starting then.

PROVINCE RESPONDS

Late Wednesday afternoon, Demetrios Nicolaides,  Alberta's minister of advanced education, tweeted that he expected post-secondary institutions to adopt new provincial policies.

"I expect AB institutions to align their COVID-19 policies with that of our gov't and I am eager to see students returning to in-person learning without proof of vaccination requirements this March," Nicolaides said.