Comments are closed.
Comments are closed.
The entire University community is focused on maintaining a safe and healthy environment on our campuses, preserving your educational experience, and communicating any updates and new information. We will update this page regularly with important information for students.
Check the University of Toronto’s coronavirus updates and frequently asked questions (FAQs) for updates relevant to the whole U of T community.
This page contains information for U of T students regarding the University’s responses and actions related to the coronavirus (COVID-19). Please continue to check your U of T email, since you may be receiving emails directly from your divisions, residences, and Deans of Students.
Graduate Students, please also visit the School of Graduate Studies webpage for specific updates.
We know this situation brings uncertainty and stress for everyone – and some will experience this more than others. Please know that if you are struggling, there are resources and supports available.
Article: Managing stress and feelings of powerlessness can be a challenge in times of uncertainty. U of T’s Dr. Suze Berkhout shares seven tips for mentally coping with the challenges caused by the COVID-19 crisis.
We know that your academic pursuits are important to you and the University is committed to maintaining academic continuity. Your academic units are working hard to provide options to help resolve any concerns regarding transfer credits, academics, etc. If you have questions about academic continuity and how your classes are affected during COVID-19, undergraduate students should contact their registrar, and graduate students should contact their program.
My Student Support Program (MySSP) provides University of Toronto students with immediate and/or ongoing confidential, 24-hour support for any school, health, or general life concern at no cost to students. You can call or chat with a counsellor directly from your phone whenever, wherever you are for a range of concerns.
Download the MySSP app: Apple App Store | Google Play and keep reading so that you understand what to expect.
You can also access the service 24/7 by calling 1-844-451-9700. Outside of North America, call 001-416-380-6578.
Telehealth Ontario is a free, confidential service you can call to get health advice or information. A Registered Nurse will take your call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Phone: 1-866-797-0000 or TTY: 1-866-797-0007
Hotline: 416-338-7600
Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30am to 8pm and weekends from 10am to 6pm. Translation available.
Last updated: March 26, 2020 at 7:30pm EST (New question added: #2)
Many co-curricular events and workshops have moved online, so you’ve got fantastic content from all three campuses right at your fingertips. From Career Chats and Mindful Moments, to resources that help you do your best learning from home, you’ll find just what you need to stay motivated, focused and connected.
U of T Libraries has a dedicated student support page where you can find out how to chat with a librarian, do research, find old exams and more.
Updated: Monday, March 23, 2020 at 8:50am EST (Question #8, response updated)
Don’t worry if you can’t move out – you’re welcome to stay in residence if you’re unable to return home. We are only asking students to move out of residence if they are able. We know many of our students, especially our international students, face exceptional circumstances and need to stay with us during this challenging time. Just be sure to contact your dean of students or director of residence if you have any questions or concerns.
Examples of exceptional circumstances include:
By moving out of residence, you will be helping the U of T community stay healthy by supporting the public health social distancing measures imposed by the province. You will also have the support of your family and access to your community resources like grocery, technology, transportation and medical supports.
We know that some students may not be able to leave residence because of exceptional circumstances. That’s okay. Please contact your Dean of Students or Director of Residence and let them know. They’ll be able to answer questions and discuss options with you.
We will be implementing some changes to residence life in order to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus and keep you as safe as possible.
Changes you can expect to see include:
We will continue to have supportive staff available to you and are creating ways to deliver residence life programming in ways that follow social distancing guidance.
If you left residence without officially moving out, are still in possession of your residence keys, have belongings in your residence room or would like to officially move out of residence, please call or email your residence office for instructions. Due to the public health measures in place, we do not advise that you return to campus to pick up your belongings. If there is something you need for your academic work or health (academic books; medication, etc.) please contact your residence office for advice.
If you plan on moving out, please follow the directions provided by your residence.
U of T is working on a plan to offer accommodations to students who are unable to return home until after the end of their residence contract (April 26, 2020). We’ll provide more details about staying beyond your residence contract as plans are developed. Please check this page regularly for updates.
If your plans have changed, please inform your residence office immediately.
Please refer to the communication you received from your residence or contact your residence office. If you did not receive any refund information from your residence, please contact your residence desk for information.
Emergency Assistance Grants are available for undergraduate students affected by COVID-19 who need immediate, short-term financial relief because of unexpected expenses.
Information about SGS emergency grants is available from the School of Graduate Studies .
Last updated: Friday, March 28, 2020 at 3:30pm EST (updated information for question #5)
We understand the government of Canada is aware of these types of issues, and we are working with the government and expect announcements soon. Current or future international students should reach out to a University of Toronto Immigration Advisor as follows:
Staff from the International Centres at all three campuses are currently working remotely and continue to answer all questions and support international students’ needs.
There are no changes to UHIP coverage due to COVID-19, but specific questions can be addressed to uhip.information@utoronto.ca. Staff members from the international centres on all three campuses are working remotely and continue to answer questions and support the needs of international students.
If you’re exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 and are unsure if you have UHIP coverage, please follow the advice of public health authorities and then contact uhip.information@utoronto.ca. The Government of Ontario has confirmed that COVID-19 treatment will be available for all those currently in Ontario.
If you have active UHIP coverage as an international student, your coverage is not affected by COVID-19.
On March 20, the provincial government announced that it is waiving the three-month waiting period for Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) coverage. The province also announced that it will cover the cost of COVID-19 services for uninsured people who don’t meet the criteria for OHIP coverage.
Specific questions should be addressed to uhip.information@utoronto.ca. Staff members from the international centres on all three campuses are working remotely and continue to answer questions and support the needs of international students.
We recommend you reach out directly to your consular office. There are approximately 100 countries with foreign representatives in Toronto. .
On March 20, the Government of Canada announced that foreign nationals will be allowed to return to Canada if they have valid study or work permits or had been approved for a study permit when the travel restrictions took effect on March 18, 2020.
Permanent resident applicants who had been approved for permanent residence before the travel restrictions were announced on March 16, 2020, but who had not yet travelled to Canada, will also be permitted to travel to Canada.
Those affected by these exemptions are now eligible to be allowed to board a flight to Canada as long as there are not restrictions in place in the country from which you are travelling and have no symptoms that could be related to COVID-19. When you arrive in Canada your health will be assessed before you leave the port of entry. You must isolate for 14 days even if you have no symptoms. This is mandatory under a federal Quarantine Act order.
Last updated: March 28, 2020 at 12:45pm EST (updated information for question #3)
We appreciate that this is an anxious and stressful time for everyone, and particularly for those of you who are far away from your family and friends. We know that many of you are trying to get home and we want you to know that the University is working hard to bring all students who had registered with Safety Abroad back as quickly as possible.
By now you should have received an email from Safety Abroad with instructions on how to fill out our online form. If you do not recall seeing this email, please double check your University of Toronto inbox. If you have in fact not received the email please contact us at: safety.abroad@utoronto.ca.
These Q&A’s are intended to provide you with some guidance as you make your way home. Please note that Q&A’s will be updated should new information become available or circumstances change. We will continue to update this page with the most current information we have.
We understand this is a very anxious time for you and can appreciate the stress you must be under through this rapidly changing situation. Know that we are working as quickly as we can to arrange for your return home.
We are currently in the process of booking your flight home via International SOS. International SOS will reach out to you directly once your flight has been booked. We anticipate responses to be received within 3-5 days after the form deadline has passed. Please note that we are unable to accommodate any changes to flight destinations at this time.
Yes. If you are able to book a flight home on your own, please do so and send us your flight confirmation and receipt once you have it. If you notify us that you have booked your own flight, please note we will then cancel your International SOS flight (if booked).
If your travel plans change and you require assistance to book a flight through International SOS, please notify safety.abroad@utoronto.ca by March 24th, 2020. Please note that it will take 3-5 days from this deadline for International SOS to confirm your flight details.
Please also let us know when you have landed safely in Toronto/home so we know you are back and follow public guidelines regarding self-isolation.
If you have a valid study/work permit and are currently in the US, you are able to cross the border into Canada at this time.
On March 20, the Government of Canada announced that foreign nationals overseas will be permitted to return to Canada if they:
This is a new exemption to the announcement made March 16, barring all foreign nationals. These travel exemptions are effective as of March 26.
Those affected by these exemptions are now eligible to be allowed to board a flight to Canada as long as there are not restrictions in place in the country from which you are travelling and have no symptoms that could be related to COVID-19. When you arrive in Canada your health will be assessed before you leave the port of entry. You must isolate for 14 days even if you have no symptoms. This is mandatory under a federal Quarantine Act order.
If you chose to remain on your placement abroad and would now like to return to Canada, please contact safety.abroad@utoronto.ca for next steps. We can assist you in the coming days once we know when you’ll be permitted to land in Canada.
If you have not already done so via the Safety & Learning Abroad Form, please send us your flight information at safety.abroad@utoronto.ca. Please let us know when you have safely arrived home and follow public guidelines regarding self-isolation. Please consult our FAQs for further details.
Our immediate priority is to ensure all our students are safe. If you are registered with Safety Abroad and you have chosen to remain in your current location or are unable to leave at this time, please notify safety.abroad@utoronto.ca, if you have not already done so. Please include in your message whether you are staying at a partner institution. The University understands the need to be flexible and your academic units will work with you on your return. Again, we just want to be sure that each of our students is safe wherever they are.
We know that your academic pursuits are important to you and the University is committed to maintaining academic continuity. Your academic units are working hard to provide options to help resolve any concerns regarding transfer credits, academics, etc. Our priority at this time is the safe return of all our students to their home destinations.
We are happy that you have returned home safely. If you have not already done so, if you are registered with Safety Abroad, please email us at safety.abroad@utoronto.ca to let us know that you are now safely home and follow public guidelines regarding self-isolation. Please consult our FAQs for further details. If you are an exchange student, please copy learning.abroad@utoronto.ca on your message.
If you have additional questions that are not addressed here or have questions about your specific situation, please reach out to us at safety.abroad@utoronto.ca