To view the policy, please click here. 

The decision was made by Cape Breton University’s Executive Committee on the recommendation of academic and administrative leadership, in alignment with the latest guidelines of the Chief Medical Officer of Health of Nova Scotia, Dr. Robert Strang. Cape Breton University believes vaccination is the key to a safe and successful return to campus and to ensuring the continued safety of our community.  

The health and safety of our university community is our top priority. Every decision we make aligns with public health guidelines. At the dawn of a fourth wave, it is more important than ever to have a high vaccination rate so we can enhance our collective immunization against COVID-19 and the variants that are emerging. New variants and the lower vaccination rates in the 18-39 age group, compel us to act in the interest of health and safety for all. Moreover, taking this decision now will allow our students, faculty, and staff sufficient time to be fully vaccinated before the fall term is in full swing. 

Yes, all students, faculty and staff must be fully vaccinated to access campus. Fully vaccinated means that an individual is 14 days past their second dose of a World Health Organization approved vaccine. 

Yes, so long as they are not currently accessing campus. If they intend to return to campus in the Fall/Winter semester of 2021/22 they will be required to adhere to the policy.

No one will be forced to be vaccinated; however, if they cannot be vaccinated for reason protected under the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act, they will be required to request an exemption, and adhere to additional health and safety measures such as twice-weekly rapid testing and mask usage.  

You must be fully vaccinated and receive your approval through AppArmor before accessing campus for any reason.

Individuals who have been vaccinated with a vaccine other than those approved by Health Canada and/or the WHO will be considered unvaccinated until they are referred to and meet with the Manager of Health Services or a designated Occupational Health Nurse. At this time their vaccine will be reviewed, and a plan will be developed as to how the individual will achieve fully vaccinated status. 

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. 

If you cannot be vaccinated due to a reason protected by the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act, you may request an exemption. Please see the information below. Please note: exemptions and accommodations will only be considered for individuals who cannot be vaccinated due to a reason protected by the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act.  

Following the provincial requirements, CBU will accept any World Health Organization approved vaccine. As of August 25, 2021, there are 7 approved vaccines. To view an up-to-date list, please click here.

Yes, students, faculty and staff can request an exemption from the vaccine requirement; however, those granted exemption will be required to follow additional health and safety measures to protect our campus community. 

To request an exemption, please follow the process outlined in AppArmour.  

Individuals who do not provide proof of vaccination and are not approved for an exemption will not be able to attend campus.  

Yes, if they have been granted an exemption and are adhering to the additional required health and safety measures. CBU reserves the right to change or adjust regulations, especially when the health and safety of the campus community may be affected. 

Yes, if they have been granted an exemption and are adhering to the additional required health and safety measures. CBU reserves the right to change or adjust regulations, especially when the health and safety of the campus community may be affected.  

Students, faculty and staff will be required to provide their vaccination status via AppArmor or request an exemption through the same platform. After the health information has been verified, it will deleted and not stored by Cape Breton University or AppArmor.  

After the health information has been verified, it will be deleted and not stored by Cape Breton University or AppArmor.  

For employees, data will be verified by a member of the Human Resources Department.  

For students, data will be verified by an Occupational Health and Safety Nurse.  

CBU will not retain copies of any documents provided in order to verify your vaccination status. Your personal health information is collected, used and stored in accordance to CBU’s obligations pursuant to Nova Scotia’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and will be used for the sole purpose of determining compliance with the “COVID-19 Vaccination, Testing and Mask Policy”. All personal health information is confidential and only accessed by authorized individuals. Your personal health information will only be retained until your vaccine passport application is approved and then it will be securely deleted.

Due to the privacy act, employees will not have access to the vaccination records of students.  

Due to the privacy act, students will not have access to the vaccination records of employees.  

All visitors to CBU campus will need to be fully vaccinated and show proof of vaccination upon arrival. All visitors must enter through the CIBC Welcome Centre (Great Hall) and sign in with a Campus Security Officer.

Those who choose not to disclose their vaccination status will be treated as though they are not fully vaccinated. This means you will be required to adhere to the additional health and safety measures in place for unvaccinated individuals including submitting an exemption request through the AppArmour. If you would like to provide proof of vaccination without sharing your Nova Scotia Health card number, that can be arranged. Please contact healthservices@cbu.ca 

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 

At this time, the policy will be in effect for the foreseeable future. The community will be notified of any changes based on local epidemiology, vaccine efficacy information and additional factors. We will continue to evaluate the requirements as the pandemic progresses.  

The policy applies to all affiliated partners who are responsible for providing an updated COVID-19 safety plan. 

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

The policy applies to all contractors who are responsible for providing an updated COVID-19 safety plan. 

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. 

CBU has decided to maintain a mask mandate during this transitional period.  

You should bring your own mask to campus as we cannot guarantee extras will be available across campus. We recommend storing additional masks in your backpack or vehicle.  Masks may be available by visiting the security desk outside of the CIBC Welcome Centre. 

Testing is not available on campus at this time. The Province of Nova Scotia has shifted their testing strategy. If this changes and testing becomes available again, we will notify the campus community. 

While electronic documents are recommended for environmental reasons, you can still use paper products in the classroom. Science shows that the risk of transmission via paper is extremely low.  

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

Please reach out to our Human Rights Officer, Scott Thomas, by emailing scott_thomas@cbu.ca  

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