Students not required to get test
ANTIGONISH — University students arriving from outside Atlantic Canada for the winter semester will not face mandatory COVID-19 testing.
That’s a change from the beginning of the fall semester when students arriving from outside Atlantic Canada were required to undergo three COVID-19 tests over the course of their 14-day selfisolation.
Canada was averaging about 500 new cases of COVID-19 a day when the first semester began. It is currently averaging about 7,500 new cases a day.
“The town, county and St. (Francis Xavier University) lobbied the Province of Nova Scotia to bring back mandated testing for the winter semester,” reads a letter to the community from Antigonish Mayor Laurie Boucher and Antigonish County Warden Owen McCarron. “Unfortunately, the province was unable to commit to providing this service due to the uncertainty of where resources would be required after the holidays. At this stage, it is up to the students to make their own appointments for testing and conduct their required daily check-ins.”
In a recent daily COVID19 update the Department of Health “strongly encouraged” returning university students to book a single COVID-19 for midway through their 14day self-isolation.
“I want to welcome returning students and thank them for following public health protocols. I also remind asymptomatic students to get a COVID-19 test during their self-isolation,” said Premier Stephen McNeil in a written statement. “Staying vigilant and following all the protective measures will help keep our case numbers low as our vaccine program is rolled out across the province.”
St. FX issued a statement Tuesday evening confirming that one of its returning stu
dents had tested positive. That student had been following the school’s self-isolation protocols on campus, where they will continue to reside.
“During isolation, the student opted to go for testing which produced a positive result,” reads a letter from St. FX president Andy Hakim. “The student continues to safely isolate on campus, with the appropriate academic and operational supports in place as per our pandemic plans. On behalf of the university community, I wish to acknowledge and thank this individual for closely moni
toring their health and for adhering to the health and safety protocols related to testing. By looking after ourselves, we look after our community.”
St. FX students staying on campus during the winter semester were required to arrive by Wednesday to begin their 14-day self-isolation. During that period, they are not allowed to leave campus and are only allowed to remove masks while alone in their dorms. They will have outdoor time on campus during the day but will be required to practise physical distancing during those periods.