Saint Mary’s University expands vaccine requirement for faculty, staff and students

Saint Mary's University will now require all faculty, staff and students to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Those who do not provide proof of two doses will need to get tested twice a week.

In a statement, the school said the expanded protocol is to ensure everyone feels safe returning to campus.

SMU says this requirement will be in addition to last week's announcement that all students living in residence or participating in varsity and club sports will need to be fully vaccinated, along with coaches and staff in the Department of Athletics and Recreation, unless they are approved for an exemption.

At the time the post-secondary institution had cautioned the protocol could be expanded to other groups in the future.

The university plans to start collecting proof of vaccination no later than next Friday, Sept. 3 “to ensure the community is ready for the return of classes” and plans to regularly report vaccination rates.

All students and staff at Mount Saint Vincent University, Dalhousie University campuses, University of King's College and Nova Scotia Community College campuses who don't have two doses will also need to get two COVID-19 tests a week.

NSCAD says vaccines are not required “but expected.”

“However, if the second dose rates do not meet the provincial targets and continue to slow, we are prepared to act accordingly,” the school cautions in a post on its website. “This may mean that vaccines could be made mandatory.”