Quebec lockdown extended until February 8, 2021

Dear Concordians,

We wish you a happy new year, and hope that you’ve had the chance to rest over the holidays.

As you are undoubtedly aware, the Government of Quebec has announced that effective January 9, it is extending the current pandemic lockdown restrictions until February 8 as well as establishing an overnight curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Given the number of rigorous health and safety measures already in place at Concordia, this announcement has very little impact on already-scheduled university activities.

Concordia will resume its operations on January 11, 2021, as scheduled, with classes beginning on January 13.  

In-person activities to be held as scheduled

As previously announced, most instruction will be delivered remotely for Concordia’s winter 2021 term. A limited number of in-person activities, such as labs and studio work, will take place on Concordia’s campuses as scheduled, starting Wednesday, January 13.

We have confirmation that in-person activities are permitted to go on as planned, even during curfew. The university will provide anyone who needs to be on campus during curfew with a letter of attestation. 

If you are a faculty or staff member who needs to be on campus during curfew for work, teaching or research purposes and you have not received the letter of attestation yet, please write to your dean/VP.

If you are a student who needs to be on campus during curfew for in-person activities related to your courses and you have not received the letter of attestation yet, please write to your professor.

Remote work by faculty and staff

Faculty and staff who have been working remotely will continue to do so. Faculty can access their offices during non-curfew hours for the purpose of preparing for the coming term. As well, staff with recurring-access-to-campus permission will maintain this access during non-curfew hours. We ask those coming to campus to leave by 7:30 p.m. at the latest.

Research labs

The Quebec government has deemed research an essential service that can continue to operate during lockdown restrictions. As such, Concordia’s research labs remain accessible to those on the recurrent access list. We are looking into which protocols might be necessary for lab access during curfew hours and will be communicating on this shortly.

Libraries

On January 11, Concordia’s Webster and Vanier libraries will resume those services they have adapted to provide support during the pandemic, including article and chapter scans and deliveries, contactless book pickup, interlibrary loans, and Ask A Librarian, where students can chat or Zoom with librarians for specific assistance. Given the curfew, the reading rooms will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday until February 8. Individual study spaces can be booked by students on the Concordia Library website.

IT Service Desk

From January 8 to 10, inclusively, service agents at the IITS Service Desk will respond to calls on a weekend schedule of 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.  As of January 11, remote service resumes at the extended period schedule, which is weekdays from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Birks Student Service Centre

Staff at the Birks Student Service Centre resumed answering emails and fulfilling letter and unofficial transcript requests on January 4, 2021. Given the high volume of email expected, certain delays in response time may be unavoidable.

New ID cards

Students who need a Concordia ID card will be able to book an in-person appointment Monday through Friday starting January 11. To do so, they must go to MyConcordia and select “Student Services” then “ID Card Appointment Booking.”

Please respect appointment times and note that the service closes from 12:00 p.m. until 1 p.m. and ends at 4:30 p.m daily. After January 22, ID cards appointments will still be available but on a reduced schedule.

More details can be found below, and on Concordia’s website.

Have a productive and healthy term,

Wellness services

All on-campus wellness services resume January 11, including the following:

• The Access Centre for Students with Disabilities (ACSD);
• Counselling and Psychological Services (CPS); and
• Health Services
  

Campus stores

The Book Stop and the Art Store have been operating online (with shipping and pick-up services available) since the beginning of the pandemic. Pick-up services resume as of January 11, by appointment only.

The Art Store and Print Store re-open on February 8.

Food services

Cafeterias and cafés will remain closed, as they have been since the beginning of the pandemic. The refilling of vending machines could also be delayed until the end of the lockdown period.

Athletic facilities

Campus athletic facilities — including the PERFORM Centre — continue to be closed.

Getting around

Shuttle bus service and the Sir George Williams Campus tunnels remain closed until further notice, in connection to campus access restrictions.

Parking

The J.W. McConnell (LB) Building parking garage reopened January 4, as planned. The Faubourg (FB) Building parking garage remains closed until fall 2021 due to repairs.

Loyola Campus parking lots remain open to the public with regular operating hours.