Laurentian University is now providing on-campus rapid COVID-19 testing to its community thanks to a grant from the Ministry of Health and Public Health Ontario.
The university’s president, Robert Haché, made this news public Jan. 8 in a written statement on Laurentian’s website.
The testing will be available to asymptomatic individuals, he said.
Laurentian was one of only three campuses in Ontario to receive this grant, Haché said, giving credit to Laurentian health and wellness centre manager Lyne Rivet.
“As always, we must continue to be vigilant, ensuring our public health measures are respected,” Haché said,
“Should anyone on-campus experience symptoms, please contact Health & Wellness Services, and for those off-campus, your local public health agency.”
Haché also wrote that because the COVID-19 lockdown has been extended in Northern Ontario for another two weeks, there are a number of implications for the Laurentian University community. Read below:
- All classes will be offered remotely with the exception of some clinical labs. Affected students will be contacted directly. Please visit the website for a complete list of changes.
- Residences will remain open to welcome back students for the new winter semester.
- As no indoor organized public events and social gatherings are permitted, except with members of the same household, the university asks that students remain aware of all relevant requirements that apply to them in residences.
- The myLaurentian hub is available online or over the phone only.
- The SGA Pub will be open for takeout only.
- Facilities for indoor or outdoor sports and recreational fitness activities will be closed (including the gym in W132).
- Researchers and highly qualified people who have approved research resumption plans will continue to have access to their research spaces during the lockdown.
- However, research and scholarly activities should be done remotely if doing so does not significantly compromise the efficiency and integrity of the work.
- Research and scholarly activities that require access to campus or field sites, that have been previously approved under Phase 1 or Phase 2 of Laurentian University’s Research Resumption procedures, are permitted to continue in accordance with the approved plans. For example, on-going studies that require regular care, conditioning or inspections (e.g., maintenance of cells, animals, breeding colonies, or tissues), or time-sensitive research activities are permitted to continue.
- Access to the Animal Care Facility and Perdue Central Analytical Facility will also be permitted in accordance with approved Phase 1 and Phase 2 research resumption plans.
- The Library’s curbside pickup service will be in operation from January 11th.
- Study spaces will remain closed.
