COVID-19 Resources and Updates

This page was last updated December 27, 2021.

Campus during COVID-19

Planning for 2021/22 Winter Session, Term 2
As we approach Winter Session Term 2 in January, read a UBC update on recent discussions around COVID-19 and the emergence of the Omicron variant. Classes will begin as scheduled on January 4 or 10 (depending on the program), with the majority of instruction provided online until January 24. During this period, some courses, including those with clinical or other experiential components, will continue in-person with appropriate safety protocols in place.

Proof of vaccination
All students, faculty and staff must complete an online, confidential declaration of your vaccination status. If you have declared that you are fully vaccinated, you will be asked to upload your BC Vaccine Card to the declaration website to verify that you have been vaccinated. Instructions on getting your BC Vaccine Card are available here. As part of the process, you are asked to disclose your vaccination status as follows:

  1. Visit https://rapidtesting.covid19.ubc.ca, log in to the disclosure site and complete the process as outlined. You will be prompted to answer a question about your vaccination status.
  2. If you declare that you have been fully vaccinated, you are required to provide verification of vaccination and will not need to take part in COVID-19 rapid testing. Audits will be conducted as part of the program, and students, faculty and staff may need to provide additional information upon request.
  3. If you indicate that you are not fully vaccinated, or you choose not to disclose your status, you will need to take part in COVID-19 rapid testing when working or studying on one of UBC’s campuses.

Getting vaccinated
All members of the UBC community are strongly encouraged to receive a vaccination as soon as they are eligible. You can learn more at https://immunizebc.ca.

For locations on other VCH mobile and drop-in vaccination sites, please visit the Vancouver Coastal Health website.

UBC COVID-19 safety planning training
All employees are required to complete the mandatory online COVID-19 safety training prior to resuming on-campus activities, or as soon as possible if they are already working on campus. Those returning to campus are also required to follow the COVID-19 Campus Rules.

Rapid testing for COVID-19
UBC is requiring COVID-19 rapid testing for all students, faculty and staff, with exemptions provided for those who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. As the first step of the COVID-19 Rapid Testing Program, all students, faculty and staff are required to complete an online, confidential declaration of their vaccination status. More.

UBC’s policy on non-medical masks
A Public Health Order requiring non-medical masks came into effect on August 25, 2021 for all indoor public areas on both UBC campuses, including classrooms, labs, lobbies, hallways, stairwells, and elevators. The Order also applies to anyone taking public transportation, in a taxi or ride-sharing vehicle, and in many other settings. More.

COVID-19 and UBC’s response

Please visit covid19.ubc.ca for the most up-to-date information from the university and answers to frequently asked questions, health guidance and vaccines, and resources.

UBC’s COVID-19 campus rules

The COVID-19 Campus Rules are framed around Step 3 of the BC Restart plan:

  • Daily health self-assessments: A daily self-health assessment is required before attending campus. Sending your daily-self assessment confirmation to your supervisor is no longer required.  Download the UBC Safe Vancouver app, which has a simple COVID-19 Daily Health Assessment Tool.
  • Stay home if you are sick: If you feel sick stay home use the Thrive Health self-assessment tool for guidance. Follow the advice from Public Health.
  • Mandatory training: All faculty and staff currently working-on or returning to campus must complete the mandatory online training module “UBC Go Forward COVID-19 Safety Planning” training.
  • Signage: Everyone must follow relevant signage when moving around UBC campuses or worksites.
  • COVID-19 safety plans & communicable disease plans: Supervisors will ensure that all faculty, staff and contractors are familiar with the latest guidance from the Provincial Health Officer as it relates to their work areas.
  • Non-medical masks: Non-medical masks are required for all indoor public areas at UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan, including lobbies, hallways, stairwells, elevators, classrooms and labs.

UBC Arts and COVID-19

The Faculty of Arts has worked with the University to safeguard the health of our entire community and support the educational progression of our students. Learn more about the 2021/22 Winter Session, Term 2. More.

Keep in touch

Contact us if you have any questions or need support. More.