Today, Queen's University announced that it will require all students, staff, and faculty returning to campus to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Students, staff and faculty will need to be fully vaccinated or have a plan to do so, by Sept. 7, 2021.

The vaccine requirement also applies to all individuals participating on varsity teams and clubs, including student-athletes, coaches, athletic therapists, support staff, strength and conditioning interns, student therapists and all Athletics & Recreation (A&R) staff.

"Queen's is focused on the individual and collective health and safety of everyone at the University, including those involved in varsity sports, and we fully support this requirement," says Leslie Dal Cin, Executive Director, Athletics & Recreation. 

"Our recent survey results indicate that 96 per cent of respondents are already fully vaccinated or intend to be prior to the 2021-22 season. This is a strong sign that our varsity sports community understands the importance of vaccinations in order to return to sport safely and responsibly."

In addition to the Sept. 7 requirements, all varsity sports participants must disclose their vaccination status by Sept. 2, 2021 and must provide confirmation of full vaccination by Sept. 30, 2021. Individuals not fully vaccinated by Sept. 2 must have at least one dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine or an approved accommodation and will be required to participate in enhanced COVID-19 testing to be able to participate. These additional dates are driven by the specific needs of varsity schedules.

"Full vaccination for all who are involved in athletics at the University level is our best way to ensure that we are all doing our part and putting our best foot forward in order to make this season and our sport's return to competition better and safer than ever before," says Liam Dunda, a member of the Gaels men's varsity hockey team.

Participants seeking a COVID-19 Vaccine Accommodation Request may do so on protected grounds under the Ontario Human Rights Code (i.e., medical and religious/creed). 

Accommodation requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and participants with an approved request must comply with additional safety measures including increased COVID-19 testing. After Sept. 30, participants who are not fully vaccinated, do not submit vaccine receipts, or do not have an approved accommodation will not be cleared to participate in any team activity.  

A&R has developed a Varsity Sports - Mandatory Vaccine Protocol which will be communicated with all those involved in the varsity sports program.

For more information on Queen's Athletics & Recreation re-opening, return to sport and mandatory vaccination protocol visit the A&R website. For wide-ranging information and resources on the university's planning and preparation for the fall term, visit the Safe Return to Campus website.