McGill University suspends COVID-19 rapid test pilot project
McGill University says it will be suspending its COVID-19 rapid test pilot project for students and staff, following a government directive asking that tests be reserved for symptomatic individuals.
"Anyone with symptoms should not be coming to our campuses and we do not want to encourage our community members to make trips to campus just to be tested," the university stated.
The rapid testing site was supposed to open on Jan. 3, allowing all students, faculty and staff to be quickly tested onsite.
"The health and wellbeing of our community remain our top priority, and all necessary health and safety measures will continue to be implemented to ensure that our campuses remain safe places to learn and to work," notes Shirley Cardenas, a media relations officer for the university.
The four major universities in Montreal announced this week that they would be delaying a return to in-person teaching following the rising number of COVID-19 cases among young people on the island.
Nevertheless, at McGill, students involved in "Tier One" teaching activities will be expected back on campus starting Jan. 10.
"Tier One activities are educational activities that are extremely difficult to conduct online and include critical teaching laboratories, clinical activities, project courses, various activities in music and other experiential in-person components of courses, including those required for graduating students," reads a letter to students from Deputy Provost Fabrice Labeau.
McGill notes it is currently looking for alternative ways to distribute rapid tests to students and staff both on campus and in living residences.
The university says it plans to welcome students back on campus on Jan. 24.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.