COVID-19 Information Updates

Last updated: May 3, 2023

Masking requirements

Clinical placements are an important and mandatory component of the academic programs at Bloomberg Nursing. In order to reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19, and potentially impacting attendance at clinical placements, Bloomberg nursing students are strongly encouraged to wear a medical-grade mask in any high-density indoor spaces when physical distancing is not possible, including instructional settings such as classrooms. Individual instructors are entitled to request students wear a mask in some settings. If you do not have a mask, a mask will be provided.

Masks will still be required during certain times and in certain areas of the Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing. Given the sim lab, and related learning activities are designed to model a clinical environment, students will continue to be required to wear a medical-grade mask during any sim lab-based instructional activities . This requirement may change due to public health guidance. Students will be provided with masks if they do not have their own

The majority of placement providers will continue to require students to wear medical masks while on placement and practice physical distancing. Students should follow the policy at their placement.

Vaccinations

Ontario’s Ministry of Health is strongly recommending all nurses, including student nurses receive their bi-valent COVID-19 vaccine.

Vaccination appointments can be booked through the Discovery Pharmacy on campus at 144 College Street. Learn more

Staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations is strongly encouraged. Those seeking vaccination appointments can refer to the provincial vaccination portal or visit the UTogether vaccine site.

Note: Bloomberg Nursing Students are required to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination (primary series of two doses).  Students are strongly encouraged to receive a third vaccination (booster). The Province has mandated third doses for all students completing clinical placements in Long Term Care (LTC) settings and we anticipate expansion of this requirement to all placement settings. 

Stay informed about COVID-19 updates at the University of Toronto by visiting the Utogether web page and FAQ.


Recording Vaccination Status for Practicums

Students should upload proof of receipt of their 3rd dose in Synergy as soon as possible. This will enable the Clinical Education Office to accurately report on 3rd doses to our placement partners. 

This health-related information, including COVID-19 vaccination information, is required before a nursing student is confirmed in a practicum at a hospital or other health care placement site. Clinical agency partners require COVID-19 vaccination for all staff, medical personnel, students, and contractors. 

Recording of COVID-19 vaccination status in Synergy is provided free of charge by Synergy with no cost to you.  Students are required to upload proof of each dose of the COVID-19 vaccination.  

Instructions – How to Upload COVID-19 vaccination information in Synergy – [PDF]

Note: do NOT book an ESPC appointment for COVID-19 vaccination updates or you will be charged by Synergy. 

For questions, please contact Elena Luk, Director, Clinical Education, at elena.luk@utoronto.ca.

Travel

For the most up-to-date information regarding Canadian entry and testing requirements, please refer to the Government of Canada website on travel, testing, and borders. Note that testing, isolation, and quarantine may be required upon (re)entry to Canada. If you are planning to travel, please review this site for information related to travel advisories.

All students should carefully consider the risks of international travel and take every precaution to protect themselves, their loved ones, and colleagues. It is the student’s responsibility to research the risk associated with the country to which they are travelling. This includes travel advisories/bans, entry requirements, current COVID-19 cases, vaccination rates and current public health measures in place to prevent COVID-19 infection and plan accordingly.

A reminder that this is an evolving situation, and that guidelines regarding travel and/or quarantine could change without advance notice either by the Government of Canada or any of our hospital partners. The entire University community is focused on maintaining a safe and healthy learning environment and preserving your educational experience.


Research

Principles

Hospitals

Graduate students and postdoctoral fellows are expected to provide proof of vaccination or proof of exemption to the institution outlined beside their category below.  Please note that hospitals generally reserve the right to determine whether they can accommodate any students that are not vaccinated but have received an exemption from their academic institution.  Any exemptions accepted by affiliated hospitals will generally require regular serological testing conducted by the applicable site.

Summary of Approaches Across Categories of Students and Postdoctoral Fellows:

Categories of studentsApproach to Tracking Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination or Medical Exemption
Clinical Learners
(graduate and undergraduate)
As per current practice, the University may request information related to eligibility for clinical placements, and will coordinate with its hospital partners to confirm learners meet all requirements for placement. Clinical learners’ COVID-19 vaccination validation will be managed via UCheck unless the clinical/research site requires independent validation. Divisions/Faculties will be responsible for holding lists of their students in clinical placements and corresponding with partner hospitals as needed. Divisions/Faculties will be responsible for corresponding with the University’s office of Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) to validate the vaccination status of students on their list. For information, contact ehs.occhealth@utoronto.ca.
Graduate Research Students Postdoctoral Fellows International Visiting Graduate Students (IVGS) Generally, the local institution where student is onboarded is responsible for collecting relevant information to confirm compliance with local policy (e.g. in many cases required vaccinations may be requested and will be verified by the local organization’s Occupational Health and Safety office).

Other Third-Party Sites

Vaccination validation protocols for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows at other third-party sites are expected to follow the principles outlined above. Generally, the local institution where the student/postdoc is located is responsible for collecting relevant information to confirm compliance with local policy.

However, where a partnership agreement between the University and the local institution is in effect, the approach must be compliant with this agreement. If you have questions about the terms of a partnership agreement, please contact the placement coordinator. 

A set of FAQs for students and postdoctoral fellows on this topic is available on the SGS website here.

The University of Toronto Mental Health Resource an online portal is open and available for students.

Health and Wellness is open and providing health services to students virtually. 

ECHO Coping with COVID is designed for Healthcare Providers (including Nursing students) responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants are invited to join ECHO sessions virtually through multi-point videoconference technology to share and learn about ways to build resilience and overall wellness through didactic lectures and case-based discussions.