U of R retaining proof of vax requirement for students, staff past Monday

The University of Regina will still require proof of COVID-19 vaccination or proof of a negative test for students, faculty and staff after Monday.

The Saskatchewan government announced Tuesday it was lifting that requirement for people to gain access to businesses, provincially regulated workplaces and other public venues. That change is to take effect Monday at 12:01 a.m.

In a media release, the U of R said as of Monday, it will lift its requirement “that periodic visitors to campus from the wider community provide proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test results when attending an on-campus event or activity.”

However, the requirement will remain in place for registered students, faculty and staff who regularly attend campus.

Starting Monday, the university said, “the small minority of individuals on campus who are unvaccinated/undeclared will be required to self-conduct rapid antigen tests three times per week, and submit those test results to the vaccination portal.”

That requirement will remain in place until April 11, which is the last day of classes.

“Students and faculty are also encouraged to self-test prior to attending final exams, and are required to continue masking during in-person exam completion,” the university’s release said.

The U of R said it will keep its masking mandate in place until further notice. Faculty, staff, students and visitors — which includes vendors, contractors and members of the public — must wear a mask in indoor public spaces on campus.

Those include classrooms, labs, offices, libraries and common areas. Masks also are required in gyms, arenas, pools and other athletic facilities, but aren’t required by people participating in or officiating a sport or an aquatic activity.