Health and Safety
Last updated Friday, Jan. 8, 2021.
Travelling over the winter break? Whether your destination is international or domestic, here's what you need to know before you go.
Please note: As of January 7, 2021, the Government of Canada requires a negative COVID-19 test prior to boarding your flight. A COVID-19 PCR test must be taken within 72 hours of departure. Additional information is available on the Transport Canada website. Also refer to the list of exceptions. Please contact your airline for further details.
On this page:
- Wearing of masks and other face coverings
- UCheck Self-Assessment Tool
- Health, Mental Health and Wellness Resources
The commitment to the health and safety of all members of our U of T community is paramount. A phased approach to returning to our campuses will follow the requirements of government and public health authorities. The Ontario Government’s Framework for Reopening our Province has outlined three phases of return, and the University of Toronto’s return will follow the stages set out in this roadmap.
As we move through these stages, several requirements will remain in place. All members of the community who have symptoms of COVID-19, or are required to quarantine due to contacts or travel history, must self-isolate. Physical distancing requirements for activities on our campuses will be based on the advice of public health officials. The University’s Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Office will advise on these and other requirements, including the use of personal protective equipment in certain roles.
It is expected that in the early stages of return, most employees who are able to work from home will continue to do so for some or all of the time. During this phase, all elements of research that can be undertaken from home, such as data analysis and writing, will continue remotely. Instructional activities will be planned so that the best possible student experience will be provided in a safe manner. The University will also be mindful of local advice from public transit authorities. Above all, we must be prepared for a resurgence of cases in our community and for some public health measures to be re-imposed.
Wearing of Masks or Other Face Coverings
To further help limit the spread of COVID-19, the University of Toronto has implemented a temporary policy requiring non-medical masks or face coverings to be worn indoors on University campuses and other University-owned or leased spaces, whether restricted-access or open to the public, on all three campuses.
This follows City of Toronto and City of Mississauga bylaws that require the wearing of masks or face coverings in enclosed public spaces, and will remain in effect as long as Ontario public health authorities recommend that mask-wearing is necessary in indoor public spaces.
U of T has arranged to distribute 250,000 non-medical, reusable face masks in order to provide two to every student, staff, faculty and librarian.
Masks are available at the following locations between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.:
- Facilities Management & Planning, Room 2220, 2nd floor, Maanjiwe nendamowinan
- Service Desk Atrium, CCT building
You must present a valid UTorid to receive your masks.
- Learn about face coverings and how to properly wear, fit, remove and clean your non-medical face mask.
- Further information about how to use and take care of your U of T-provided mask can be found here.
- How will U of T's non-medical mask policy work in practice? Vivek Goel answers common questions about when and where masks will be required, exemptions and the reasons behind the new policy.
Additional information and details about the application of the policy, exceptions and medical accommodations are available in an accompanying Guideline, which is available on the websites of the Office of the Vice-President & Provost and the Vice President, Human Resources & Equity. The draft Guideline may be updated periodically as our response to COVID-19 evolves.
Provincial regulation and public health guidance now require that post-secondary institutions implement COVID-19 health screening for anyone coming to campus. In order to comply with these directives, a self-assessment is now required for all members of our community, including faculty members, librarians, staff, and students, each day they visit any one of the three U of T campuses or any other property owned or operated by U of T.
There are two ways that individuals can complete the required self-assessment and generate a risk status each time they come to U of T: by using UCheck, or by completing a paper-based or offline self-assessment log.
Accessible via web browsers on computers, tablets, and smartphones, UCheck is the easiest and most secure way to complete the required self-assessment and generate a COVID-19 risk status prior to coming to U of T. Once generated, this risk status will recommend whether individuals should visit campus in person. More details on how to use UCheck, including how we are keeping self-assessment data private, are available in the FAQs on the UCheck website.
UTM’s Health & Counselling Centre (HCC) remains open for non-urgent health appointments and offers personal counselling appointments by telephone. Reach the HCC by telephone at 905-828-5255.
Find updated Information about HCC’s operations and services and read answers to frequently asked questions on the HCC website.
For urgent or after-hours health matters, please consult the HCC’s list of after-hours resources and walk-In clinics in Peel Region.
University of Toronto Health Services (for students)
- UTM Health & Counselling Centre: 905-828-5255
- St. George Campus Health & Wellness Centre: 416-978-8030
- UTSC Health & Wellness Centre: 416-287-7065
Online Fitness and Meditation Resources
The UTM Athletics YouTube channel features an extensive library of free home workout routines and meditation exercises led by staff experts from the Recreation, Athletics & Wellness Centre. More virtual programs, including group classes, virtual personal training, a running program and esports intramurals are available on the #MoveUTM Virtual Programs webpage.
Check out the RAWC's Home Workouts playlist for free online workouts for pilates, yogilates, barre, tabata and more.
The RAWC's Mindfulness & Meditation playlist features guided meditations and yoga videos for all levels of experience.
Mental Health Resources (for Students)
- Access a list of UTM and GTA Mental Health Resources on the HCC website, including:
- Students currently residing in Ontario may access personal counselling through the HCC by telephone appointments between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.
- Students residing outside of Ontario may access counselling resources across Canada here.
- Students who currently reside outside of Canada may access counselling supports through My SSP, a service available to all University of Toronto students. Here are tips for how to access MySSP internationally.
- U of T Family Care Office
Mental Health Resources (for Faculty, Staff and Librarians)
- HR&Equity support and advice for employees working at home
- Events, resources and guidance for mental well-being
- Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) (downloadable PDF)
- COVID-19 updates to EFAP supports and services
- The Homewood Health Client Services Centre, 1-800-663-1142, offers advice, counselling, and help for all employees and their dependents. Services are offered remotely and confidentially 24/7/365. Additional tools and resources for managing anxiety, stress and other mental health concerns can be found at Homeweb.ca
- Mental Health While in Quarantine, Self-Isolation, or Working Remotely (downloadable PDF)
- Wellness and Work From Home Toolkit
- U of T Family Care Office
- U of T Guidelines on flexible work arrangements
- Wellness Together Canada—self-directed e-mental health tools, peer support and live counselling from Health Canada
- Big White Wall—anonymous peer-to-peer online support for anxiety, depression and mental health
Additional Mental Health Resources
- Access Mental health and COVID-19 information from The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)
Telehealth Ontario
Telehealth Ontario is a free, confidential service you can call to get health advice or information from a Registered Nurse.
- Phone: 1-866-797-0000
- TTY: 1-866-797-0007
- Hourse: 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Region of Peel Public Health
The Region of Peel Public Health website offers information about mobile COVID-19 testing centres, mental health supports and community support services.
- Phone: 905-799-7700
- Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., seven days a week.
STILL HAVE COVID QUESTIONS? Submit a question here or refer to the following pages for more details:
