COVID-19 Vaccination – Residence Update

Date Posted: Jul 13, 2021
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The following message was sent to students on Monday, July 12, 2021.

CBU will be monitoring the federal and provincial government guidelines for approved vaccines and we will update our approvals appropriately.

To the CBU Student Community,

I hope you are safely enjoying the summer weather. We are looking forward to welcoming you in person this September! I am writing today to inform you that Cape Breton University will require students living in residence who can be vaccinated to have received their COVID-19 vaccinations. If you are considering living in residence, please read the following information very carefully.

All students are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible and those living in residence will be required to have at least their first COVID-19 vaccine dose 14-days prior to their move-in date. These students must also commit to receiving their second dose of vaccine as soon as is possible, but no more than 14 days after their move in date. Those living in residence will receive another email later this summer with information about move-in day, including details about our process for confirming vaccination status.  

CBU is working with Nova Scotia Health and the Students’ Union to improve access to vaccinations on campus. We are also offering rapid and PCR testing on campus. If you face any difficulty accessing COVID-19 vaccines within Nova Scotia, please fill out this form for the CBUSU’s COVID-19 VaccinationBooking Assistance Program.

If you have already confirmed your intention to live in residence, but no longer feel this is the right decision based on the vaccination requirement, you may opt out of on-campus living without financial penalty by emailing me and cancelling your residence application.

Accommodation Requests

If you cannot get vaccinated for medical reasons or for sincerely held creed or religious beliefs, you may request an accommodation by emailing me, indicating the accommodation ground pertaining to your situation (medical, creed or religious).

You will receive a response from me that will provide you with further instructions and information about the process, including the form you will be required to submit to complete your request for an accommodation.

Please note that if you are requesting an accommodation for medical reasons, you will be asked to submit a form signed by your own physician or nurse practitioner confirming you have a medical condition that prevents you from receiving the vaccine.

If you are requesting an accommodation for creed or religious reasons, you will be asked to submit a form signed by you (or your parent or legal guardian, if you are under the age of 18) and sworn by a Commissioner of Oaths or Notary Public.

We ask that if you are intending to make an accommodation request do so by August 3, 2021 to avoid any delays in processing your request. Each request will be reviewed carefully, and a decision will be communicated via email as soon as possible.

Acceptable COVID-19 vaccines for international students

The Federal Government of Canada has only approved the following four vaccines when classifying persons as vaccinated or non-vaccinated:  Moderna, AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson.

If your proof of vaccination does not meet all of the requirements, it will be considered invalid and you will be required to:

  • Stay at a government approved hotel to await the results of your arrival test before continuing on to your final destination;
  • Complete a 14-day quarantine period; and,
  • Complete a second test on day eight of your quarantine.

Please remember, although you may be exempt from quarantine requirements, you still must have a suitable quarantine plan in place as exemptions will not be granted until you reach your port-of-entry into Canada and are not guaranteed. The final decision rests with Canada Border Services Agents as to whether quarantine exemptions are granted.

If you require an approved quarantine plan please visit the Study Safe Corridor website to learn more about their Travel Safe Package or email the Study Safe Corridor.

After you have completed your 14-day quarantine Federally, and/or if you are arriving from within Canada, Nova Scotia as a province recognizes the following vaccines:  Moderna, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Janssen (Johnson and Johnson), Sinovac and Sinopharm. If your vaccine is not one of those listed, you will be classified as a non-vaccinated traveler and will be required to quarantine. You must be vaccinated with an approved vaccine to reside on-campus.

  • 14-days after receiving your first dose of an approved vaccine you would be permitted to move into residence.
  • As mentioned above the CBU Students’ Union will be able to help you with securing your first dose of vaccine through their COVID-19 Vaccine Booking Assistance Program.

Enjoy the summer, and please remember to follow all COVID-19 protocols as mandated in your living area.

Doug Connors

Director of Housing, Food, and Ancillary Services