London's two major post-secondary institutions are getting ready to welcome back thousands of students for in-person studies after a bumpy two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fanshawe College has announced it is welcoming students back to campus next month with 65 per cent of classes provided in person and residences close to full capacity.
The college said for the upcoming term, it will not reintroduce mandatory masking or vaccine requirements based on current advice from the Middlesex London Health Unit.
"Students and employees are strongly encouraged to mask indoors and stay up to date on recommended doses of COVID-19 vaccine," said Chief Infrastructure Officer Peter Gilbert. "We will continue to follow the advice and recommendations from our regional public health authorities, which may include the reintroduction of some COVID-19 protocols during the academic year as they become necessary."
According to its website, Western University is keeping its vaccination policy in place for the time being however, indoor masking mandates have been lifted. In-person instruction will also resume in the fall. The university said it expects to have an update on these policies within the next week.
Both schools still strongly encourage masking while inside campus buildings, students are also advised to receive a COVID-19 booster shot.
Fanshawe will offer a vaccination clinic during orientation from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Western students can get booster shots at Thames Hall in Room 3189.
Classes at Fanshawe are scheduled to begin on Wednesday, September 7, while Western students will return the next day on Thursday, September 8.