To view the policy, please click here. 

To book an appointment online and receive your vaccine at a pharmacy, visit: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/book-your-vaccination-appointment/ Please note: you must have a Nova Scotia Health Card Number (MSI) to book an appointment online.  

To book an appointment over the phone, call 1-833-797-7772 between the hours of 7:00am and 10:00pm daily. 

Yes, we encourage you to book an appointment with the Max Bell Health and Counselling Centre. These healthcare professionals will be happy to discuss any questions or concerns you have related to the vaccine process. To book an appointment, please email healthservices@cbu.ca or call 902-563-1359 

Please contact your manager and work with Human Resources to find a solution. Please do not come to campus if you are sick. 

CBU will continue to enforce the use of masks on campus until further notice. Masks can only be removed when seated and actively eating or drinking. 

Please reach out to covidquestions@cbu.ca and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible.  

To the University community,

As we near the start of a new academic year, I know many are excited and also wondering what to expect while on campus as it relates to protecting the community from COVID-19. On August 23, 2021, the Nova Scotia Government indicated that the Province will move to Phase 5 of its Reopening Plan by mid-September, or sooner, if 75 per cent of Nova Scotians are fully vaccinated before then. At that time, CBU will also move to Level 5 of its Return to Campus Plan with some additional measures outlined here. An update of the Return to Campus Plan will be uploaded to MyCBU and cbu.ca in the coming days.

Cape Breton University is part of a post-secondary sector wide approach to the return to in-person teaching for Fall 2021. This response is endorsed by public health officials. In addition to following the provincial guidelines for our sector, CBU will implement the following additional measures to protect our students, staff and faculty:

• Effective September 1, 2021, varsity athletes, along with staff and faculty involved in varsity athletics, must be fully vaccinated. Proof of vaccination status is required before participating in varsity sport.
• All students, staff and faculty are expected to be fully vaccinated by October 15, 2021. Fully vaccinated means that an individual is 14 days past their second dose of a World Health Organization approved vaccine. To meet this deadline, the vaccine will need to be administered by October 1, 2021. Everyone will be asked to submit proof of vaccination by that date. We are working with IT Services and Human Resources to finalize a system to implement this process. This will be communicated in the coming week.
• Those who cannot be vaccinated for reasons protected by the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act, i.e. medical reasons, must be tested for COVID-19 twice a week and wear a mask.
• Starting in the fall 2021 semester, post-secondary institutions will no longer be required to adhere to the current social distancing requirements; however, we expect all employees and students to be mindful of one another’s space and when possible and reasonable, modify activities to allow for some distance.
• CBU will continue to enforce the use of masks in common and shared indoor spaces, including classrooms until the end of September. At that point, we will continue to assess whether this measure will continue longer. Specific mask-wearing protocol including when they can be removed is outlined in the Return to Campus Plan. Please note students will be required to leave their masks on during class time. Faculty/speakers may remove their masks when at the front of the classroom but must wear the mask if moving amongst the students.
• CBU previously announced that all students living in residence must be vaccinated.

We continue to encourage everyone to adopt best health practices such as washing your hands and staying home if you are sick.

Testing and Vaccinations on Campus

Testing will be available on campus seven days a week for as long as required starting September 4, 2021. Vaccinations will be available on campus from September 7-10, 2021, and then every Tuesday starting September 14, 2021, for as long as required. The Max Bell Health & Counselling Centre will continue to coordinate with the Students’ Union to support students who require vaccination off-campus.

As always, the Return to Campus Committee will continue to monitor the effectiveness of our health and safety practices and the epidemiology that influences our University and Island community.

I am thrilled that we will have employees and students back on campus in a couple of weeks. The health and safety of our community has always been our priority and will continue to be as we enjoy a new academic year.

Yours very truly,

David C. Dingwall

President & Vice-Chancellor

Cape Breton University

To the Campus Community,

Know that the health and safety of the CBU community are paramount and we are in good shape for a safe and full return. We will continue to make science-backed decisions and take direction and guidance from Nova Scotia’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Robert Strang.

Today, I am writing to make you aware of CBU’s official Testing and Vaccination Policy. This policy provides direction on the conditions under which individuals will be permitted on Cape Breton University’s campus during the Fall/Winter 2021-22 term unless otherwise noted. Policy highlights include:

• To protect the health and safety of our community, Cape Breton University is requiring individuals to be vaccinated as a condition to attend campus and to work or live in student residence.
• Only fully vaccinated students and employees or those with an approved exemption under the Nova Scotia Humans Right Act are permitted on campus as of October 15, 2021.
• Those with approved exemptions will be required to adhere to additional public health measures, including wearing a mask and twice-weekly rapid testing.
• All members of the CBU community are required to wear a mask until October 15, or until otherwise stated.

We have officially partnered with AppArmor for the purpose of a proof of vaccination portal. In the coming days you will get more information on how to access this portal and how to submit your proof of vaccination or request an exemption.

Please take the time to read and understand the policy in full before coming to campus.

Additionally, in accordance with Level Four of the Return to Campus Plan, effective immediately:

• You are no longer required to sign-in and out of campus. You are still asked to self-assess before coming to campus and stay home if you are sick.
• While you are encouraged to make appointments for student services due to the increased efficiency this provides, they are no longer required to do so. All student services will be accessible during regular business hours.

Rapid testing will be available on campus seven days a week, for as long as required, starting September 4, 2021. Vaccinations will be available on campus from September 7-10, 2021, and then every Tuesday starting September 14, 2021, for as long as required. The Max Bell Health & Counselling Centre will continue to coordinate with the Students’ Union to support students who require vaccination off-campus. More details including time and location will be provided in the days to come.

If you have any questions, please send them to covidquestions@cbu.ca.

As always, remember to be kind and protect each other by adhering to public health measures. We are in this together.

David C. Dingwall

President and Vice-Chancellor