Algonquin College mandates COVID-19 vaccination on its 3 campuses

Algonquin College is requiring proof of vaccination for all students, employees,contractors and visitors across its three eastern Ontario campuses for thefall 2021 term.

The announcement comes one day after the government of Ontario updated its vaccination policies foreducation workers, requiring frequent rapid testing for unvaccinated staff and requiring post-secondary schools to come up with vaccine policies.

The college will require anyone accessing its Ottawa, Pembroke or Perth campusto provide proof they've received at least one dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine by September 7.

It will require proof of two doses by October 12.

"I cannot stress enough how important it is for the members of the College to contribute to the safety of our community by ensuring they are fully vaccinated," wrote Algonquin College president and CEO Claude Brul in a statement dated Wednesday.

The college said in thestatement details about the rollout are "under development" andwill be released at a later date. This may include details about exemptions, mentioned in the president's message but not elaborated on.

Algonquin College "strongly encouraged" vaccinationfor students and staff until Wednesday. It cited public health recommendations and coronavirus variants of concern as reasons for its change.

The University of Ottawa made vaccinationmandatory for anyone living on campusin mid-July, then expanded the policy one month laterto apply to nearly all students, staff and visitors"accessing" campus.

Carleton and Queen's universities and Loyalist and St. Lawrence colleges followedwith their own mandates shortly thereafter, as universities across the country adopted similar COVID-19policies.