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King’s Residence Update: Winter 2022

King's Residence Update: Winter 2022

Dear students in the King’s residence community,

Earlier today, King’s and Dalhousie circulated a joint memo that details changes to the Winter Term 2022 for both institutions: most notably, classes will be delivered online until at least January 17. This change applies to both King’s and Dalhousie.

However, while Dalhousie residences will open later than originally scheduled in 2022, King’s residences will open as planned on January 4, 2022.

We recognize that the new pandemic developments and the virtual start to classes in the Winter Term may impact when you return to residence. We want to give you flexibility and choice. Here are options for the Winter Term 2022:

  • Residences will be open on January 4, 2022 for all students. Students with approved early arrival dates for residence can proceed as planned, otherwise students can return as of January 4.
  • If your plans change and you choose to return to residence later in January since classes are online, let us know your new expected date of arrival by following this link.
  • If you choose to withdraw from residence, you will receive a pro-rated refund for the Winter Term. Follow this link to request to withdraw.

All residence students should complete a COVID rapid test prior to departing residence and prior to moving back into their rooms. Tests will be available at Dalhousie, and at the King’s COVID-19 Screening Clinic, which is open until December 23 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and on Fridays from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. Rapids tests will also be available at the Alex Hall Front Desk in the new year.

Remember that the federal government has advised against non-essential international travel. As a reminder, here is what you need to consider if you are out of Canada over the break:

  • Students who need to self-isolate after returning from international travel cannot do so in residence due to limited self-isolation rooms.
  • If you are traveling internationally, reach out to the Dal International Centre to ensure you’re prepared for any additional steps you may need to take when returning to Canada. You can also check out to their website for information about current international travel restrictions.

Whether you are travelling internationally or outside of the province, please keep an eye on Nova Scotia’s travel restrictions for any changes that may affect you. Changes may come into effect at any time.

Public Health tells us that the Omicron variant is highly transmissible, especially in social settings, and that the severity of symptoms is lower than other variants, especially in lower-risk populations who are fully vaccinated, based on the current information available. There is always risk living in a congregate setting like residences—this was true before COVID and continues during the pandemic. As we learn to live with COVID, the social, academic, and mental health benefits of living in community outweigh the risk of transmission for some. For others, the risk of transmission that is likely in residence if there is a positive case may not be worth it given their personal circumstances.

King’s will continue to follow all Public Health directives as it has throughout the pandemic. These are subject to change and may impact your residence experience in the Winter Term.

We’ve been here before and made it through by taking responsibility for our health and others’ by strictly adhering to Public Health guidelines, such as masking when outside your room, vaccination, respecting gathering limits, keeping social circles small, etc. We are confident in Public Health’s leadership and in the plans we have to support the residence community during the pandemic. We will continue to adapt those plans to align with Public Health advice.

As always, take note of the supports that are available to you as King’s students in our Student Support Directory [PDF]. Reach out to residence@ukings.ca with questions in the meantime. We look forward to welcoming you back in the new year. We are in this together.

Take care, and have a safe holiday,

Katie

Katie Merwin
Dean of Students


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