COVID-19 Information

Last updated April 28, 2023

COVID-19 protocols no longer in effect: The University issued a message on April 28, 2023, advising the University community that masking requirements in instructional spaces have been lifted. Read the full message or scroll down to review our archived messages about COVID-19.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been felt around the world, including at the University of Prince Edward Island. Although COVID-19 has changed aspects of how we teach and learn, UPEI remains committed to providing high quality education, as well as access to engaging and rewarding learning experiences, in a safe and responsible manner. We will continue to monitor evolving public health conditions and base our campus operations on guidance from the PEI Chief Public Health Office (PEI-CPHO) to ensure the successful delivery of the 2022–2023 academic year.

UPEI continues to monitor evolving public health conditions and base our campus operations on guidance from the PEI Chief Public Health Office. We will post updates to these web pages as soon as they become available and communicate any changes directly with members of the campus community by email. 

While many aspects of our lives have returned to pre-pandemic normal, COVID-19 remains very prevalent on PEI, and the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff remains our top priority.

The University will continue to keep the UPEI community updated about risks and health and PEI-CPHO guidance associated with COVID-19 as early as possible. We will also continue to make policy and operational changes with caution and a science-based approach—making necessary adjustments to our protocols as the COVID-19 situation evolves and as our unique university environment warrants.

As of April 28, 2023, COVID-19 protocols are no longer in effect. 

We ask that you continue to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses by

  • getting fully vaccinated and/or your booster shots when eligible
    Vaccination is an important way to prevent serious illness, but vaccines become less effective over time, so it’s important to keep your vaccines current to help protect you and others. You are strongly encouraged to become fully vaccinated, including obtaining your booster shots, when eligible and where possible. Visit the Government of PEI’s COVID-19 vaccine web page to learn about expanded options to get vaccinated and booster doses. (Please note: all international students over the age of 18 travelling to Canada need to be fully vaccinated—visit the Government of Canada page for more information.)
     
  • employing good hand hygiene
    Washing your hands often, especially after touching your face, blowing your nose, coughing, sneezing, using the restroom or coming into contact with frequently touched surfaces in public places, remains a great defence in preventing the spread of COVID-19. When sneezing or coughing, cover your nose and mouth, and wash your hands after.
     
  • staying home if you feel sick, and get tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms
    If you are showing symptoms of COVID-19, please stay home. Follow the PEI-CPHO’s guidance and use their online assessment tool to determine whether you need a PCR or rapid test.

    While the PEI-CPHO ended the mandatory isolation requirement on November 30, 2022, UPEI still asks that you stay home if you test positive and are feeling sick. You should stay home until all of the following apply to you: your symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours (or 48 hours if you had nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea); you do not have a fever; you do not develop any additional symptoms. 

    Students who are ill and require academic accommodations for missed classes, assignments, midterms, or tests are to contact their instructors. Rapid testing kits remain available at the Residence Services desk in Bill and Denise Andrew Hall for residence students; UPEI Health and Wellness Centre from 8:30 am–12 noon and 1–4 pm, Monday to Friday; and Panther Central desk at the UPEI Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre during operating hours.
     
  • keeping up to date with the latest information from the PEI-CPHO and UPEI
    UPEI will update the campus community via email and at upei.ca/covid-19-information as information becomes available; however, the best source for the latest information about the COVID-19 situation and measures on PEI is the provincial COVID-19 website.

Resources

University updates and messages

We actively work with the PEI Chief Public Health Office and other networks to keep the UPEI community updated about risks and health and safety guidance associated with COVID-19. UPEI began communicating to students, staff, and faculty about COVID-19 in January 2020, sharing appropriate information from official government sources. Messages to the campus community are distributed by email and posted to the upei.ca website (see below).

Read previous messages:

COVID-19 Information

Relevant Links