Frequently Asked Questions

Toronto » Frequently Asked Questions

By September 7, 2021, all students, faculty, contractors, volunteers and staff at the Toronto campus will be expected to submit proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Proof of vaccination can be submitted using the Vaccine Verification form. 

Campus Access and Events
Vaccination and Testing
International Students
University Protocols

  1. Campus Access and Events

  2. What should a student, faculty, or staff member at the Toronto campus do if they are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19? 

  • If you believe you’re experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, we ask that you please complete your daily health assessment, stay home and do not come to campus. If you are a student, a Northeastern case manager will follow up with you to connect you to university resources and to help you connect to the care you need. Please  visit the Toronto Public Health guidance on what to do if you have symptoms of COVID-19.

  1. What are the building hours at the Toronto campus? 

  • Regular campus hours of operation are 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday – Friday.

  1. What is the visitor policy on the Toronto campus?

  • At this time, all visitors to Northeastern University’s Toronto campus, in advance of their visit, must be determined to be essential to the university’s mission in order to be approved to visit a Northeastern campus. Prospective visitors, or members of the campus community interested in hosting a visitor, should contact [email protected] to request approval. For more details on the policy and visitors that are deemed essential, as well as information on safety protocols that visitors must follow on campus, please see the Visitor Protocol.

  1. What is the event policy on the Toronto campus?

  •  For more details on scheduling and approving an event, please see the Event Policy.

  1. Is eating allowed on campus? 

  • In accordance with the university policy on locations for safe eating and drinking on campus, eating is not allowed in classrooms or hallways.
  • At this time, food on campus is not permitted. Beverages are permitted. There are several food courts conveniently available for use in the building, specifically the 2nd floor indoor and outdoor food court areas.

  1. Are there specific quarantine guidelines students should follow when traveling to the Toronto campus? 

  • Starting February 22, 2021, in addition to the current pre-arrival testing and 14-day quarantine arrangements, air travellers are required to reserve and complete a three-night stay in a government-authorized hotel in addition to the 14-day quarantine. Please consult the FAQ for COVID-19 for students in Canada page for full information.

  1. Are there specific entry protocols that students, faculty, and staff will follow at the Toronto campus? 

  • Masks or face covering should be worn at all times
  • Northeastern ID should be displayed on a lanyard upon arrival to campus
  • Complete the Daily Wellness Check before arrival on campus and show the results upon entry to campus
  • Contactless temperature checks may be conducted by authorized staff as you enter the campus.
  • Campus staff will confirm that individuals seeking entrance to the campus have submitted proof of vaccination, or negative test results, as required.

  1. Arriving First Canadian Place (FCP)

  • When queuing for the elevator, please follow the physical distancing prompts via floor markers and/or posted signage.
  • The maximum capacity per elevator cab is four people.
  • Aim to choose a corner spot to keep physical distancing between you and your neighbour.
  • Upon exiting the 46th floor, be sure to exit the elevator single-file.
  • There are various physical distancing markers throughout FCP to assist you in navigating the new traffic flow. Keep an eye out for directional signage and markers that will point you in the right direction.

  1. Are there specific cleaning protocols students, staff, and faculty will need to follow? 

  • A “Clean In & Clean Out” policy will be implemented for study and class areas. There will be sanitizing wipes available throughout campus. Between classes, a dedicated cleaning crew will cover high touch areas such as tables and chairs.

  1. Vaccination and Testing

  2. I have questions about the vaccination requirement. Who can I talk to? 

  • Please reach out to [email protected] for questions or concerns related to the Northeastern University—Toronto vaccination requirements. 

  1. By which date must students, faculty, and staff be vaccinated?

  • September 7, 2021 

  1. How will vaccination status be confirmed?

  • Students, faculty, and staff should use the Vaccine Verification Form to submit documentation of their COVID-19 immunization. Individuals vaccinated in Ontario may submit their vaccination receipt available here.

    Please note that the second receipt issued in Ontario provides confirmation of both doses received. Individuals who have received a two dose vaccine series in Ontario may therefore upload just the second receipt.

  1. What if I need to submit more than one document as proof of vaccination?

  • Individuals who received vaccine doses through two different healthcare systems may need to upload more than two documents in order to demonstrate completion of a full vaccine series. Individuals in this situation should complete the proof Vaccine Verification Form twice, providing details and documentation for each dose separately.

  1. If I’ve already had COVID-19 and recovered/I have a test that shows I have antibodies, do I still need to get vaccinated?

  •  Yes

  1. When can I get vaccinated?

  1. Where can I get vaccinated? How do I book an appointment?

  1. What is the protocol around masks for fully vaccinated individuals on campus?

  • Fully vaccinated students, faculty, staff and any other persons( i.e., contractors, volunteers) on campus are required to wear face coverings or masks when in an indoor area, in accordance with Northeastern’s protocol as well as the regulations set out by the Ministry of Ontario Colleges and Universities and the Council of Ontario Medical Officers of Health.   

  1. Where can I learn more about COVID-19 vaccines?

  • You can find more information on Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccine website. The province has a three-phased vaccination plan with vaccines available to the public beginning in July 2021 

  1. Is an educational session about the COVID-19 vaccine available to me?

  • Northeastern University is able to offer you an educational session about the benefits of a COVID-19 vaccination. Please reach out [email protected] to request an educational session. We also encourage you to review the following resources:
  1. How the COVID-19 vaccines work
  2. Vaccine safety related to the development of the COVID-19 vaccines
  3. The benefits of the vaccination against COVID-19
  4. Risks of not being vaccinated against COVID-19
  5. Possible side effects of COVID-19vaccination
  6. Additional COVID-19 questions and answers from Health Canada

  7. What is the definition of “fully vaccinated”?

  • The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) considers someone fully vaccinated when they have received the full series of a vaccine authorized in Canada (AstraZeneca/Covishield, Janssen/Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, or Pfizer-BioNTech) at least 14 days ago.   

  1. What if I am not yet fully vaccinated by September 7, 2021?

  • Students should plan to attend on-campus courses remotelyprior to being fully vaccinated. Once you are fully vaccinated according to the above standard, and you have submitted your proof of vaccination, you can begin attending classes in person.  
  • Faculty members scheduled to teach on-ground in the Fall should contact the Associate Dean of the Toronto campus at [email protected] to discuss next steps.  
  • Toronto campus staff members should contact their manager.

  1. What protocols do I need to follow if I am unvaccinated with an approved exemption?

  • Approved exceptions will be granted on a case-by-case basis for medical exemptions only. Students, faculty, and staff with an approved exemption are required to submit a negative COVID-19 antigen test result each week, beginning the week prior to the start of the Fall quarter (Sep 13-17). Tests will be facilitated by Northeastern University. Please contact [email protected] to arrange testing. Test results can be submitted online through the External Medical Documentation Form. 

  1. Does this policy apply to me if I don’t attend campus?

  • While the university strongly encourages all members of our campus community to get vaccinated if they are able to,only individuals who attend campus are required to submit proof of vaccination or a request for a medical exemption. Students who are studying 100% online and have no intention of visiting campus in the foreseeable future do not need to submit proof of vaccination or request an exemption. The same applies to faculty who are teaching 100% online and have no intention of visiting campus in the foreseeable future. 

  1. Why is the University requiring people to submit proof of their vaccination status?

  • At this point, vaccination is proving to be the best way to control and ultimately defeat the COVID-19 pandemic. It is the best tool we have for promoting the safety and wellbeing of our students, faculty, and staff.  In addition, Northeastern University – Toronto is acting in accordance with the recent recommendations to the post-secondary sector in Ontario, issued by Council of Ontario Medical Officers of Health  

  1. How will the University use this vaccination status information?

  • Vaccine status information is treated confidentially by the university, as we would do with any shared medical information. The information faculty, staff, and students provide regarding their vaccination status or plans will be treated confidentially and will not become part of a faculty or staff personnel file. The information may also be used in a limited number of ways, including for reporting, as required,to government agencies to comply with public health requirements in certain campus locations. 

  1. Do I need to be fully vaccinated before I come to campus?

  • All members of the Toronto campus community must be fully vaccinated prior to coming to campus (with the exception of individuals who have received an exemption). Please note that this means that individuals must have completed a full series of an approved vaccine at least 14 days ago. Individuals may not resume visiting campus until this14-day period has elapsed.  

  1. Can I request an exemption?

  • Northeastern community members may request an exemption to the above policy through the Vaccine Verification form. Please note that exemptions will be granted on a medical basis only. Individuals seeking an exemption to the Toronto campus vaccine policy must submit documentation provided by a physician or a nurse practitioner based in Canada. The documentation should spell out a medical reason for not being fully vaccinated against COVID-19, as well as the effective time-period for the medical reason.

  1. If I received an approved exemption to the vaccine requirement, which additional safety protocols must I follow?

  • Regardless of vaccination status, students, faculty, and staff will need to resume wearing a face mask or face covering indoors. Everyone, regardless of vaccination status, should continue to wash their hands regularly and stay away from campus if they feel ill or have tested positive for COVID.
  • Students and employees who have received a vaccination exemption will be able to teach and work on campus, attend classes in person, and participate in any campus activity available to the rest of the university community. Students, faculty, and staff with an approved exemption are required to submit a negative COVID-19 antigen test result each week, beginning the week prior to the start of the Fall quarter (Sep 13-17). Unvaccinated individuals with an approved exemption should observe six-feet physical distancing from others. 

  1. Does it matter what type of vaccine I get?

  1. If I got a vaccine that is not on the approved list, should I get revaccinated? 

  1. What if I have already received a non-approved vaccine?

  1. I’m fully vaccinated. Do I still have to wear a mask and follow Northeastern’s COVID-19 safety protocols? 

  • Currently, Northeastern requires both fully vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals with an approved exemption to wear face masks indoors.

  1. Does this policy apply to me if I am on co-op in the Fall?

  • Students who are on co-op during the Fall quarter and have no intention on visiting campus are not required to comply with the mandatory vaccination policy. You are however required to comply with any workplace safety regulations that have been instituted by your co-op employer. Assuming that the mandatory vaccination verification policy is still in effect at that time, students will be required to submit proof of vaccination upon completion of their co-op and return to campus.

  1. International Students

  2. Does it matter which kind of vaccine I get?

  1. Will the University provide vaccinations to international students?

  • The university will help international students secure their vaccine appointments. Canada’s COVID-19 vaccination plan includes all those currently living in Canada. Visit “How to Book a COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment” for information on booking a vaccine in Ontario. Students can also find information specific to their location:
  1. Booking a Vaccine Appointment in the City of Toronto 
  2. Booking a Vaccine Appointment in the Region of Peel 
  3. Booking a Vaccine Appointment in the Region of York 
  4. Booking a Vaccine Appointment in the Region of Durham 
  5. Booking a Vaccine Appointment in the Region of Halton

  6. Is someone at the University available to help me understand what type of vaccine to get? 

  • We recommend obtaining a Health Canada approved vaccine if possible.  If this is not available, we recommend obtaining the first WHO-approved vaccine available to you and, if possible, select the vaccine that will allow you to be fully vaccinated before coming to Canada. 
  • Health Canada has recently released new guidelines for those individuals who have received a non-Health Canada approved vaccine. Students who receive a non-Health Canada approved vaccine (one or two doses) should receive one dose of an mRNA vaccine (Moderna, Pfizer) Health Canada approved vaccine. Please note this guidance may change as circumstances evolve and we encourage you to review Health Canada guidelines regularly.  
  • If you have questions, it is recommended that you speak to your local health care provider for guidance.

  1. Where can I find more information about how COVID-19 regulations affect me as an international student?

  1. Our number one priority remains the health and wellbeing of our community. Click here to read more on Northeastern University’s vaccination requirements, including up-to-date university messages and FAQs.