UWindsor urges social distancing after unauthorized Halloween party

WECHU concerned over several Halloween parties A number of UWindsor students are worried about COVID-19 after attending Halloween parties. CTV Windsor's Alana Hadadean reports.

Windsor, Ont. — University of Windsor officials are reminding its campus community to restrict social gatherings and strictly adhere to COVID-19 prevention protocols after receiving information about an unauthorized Halloween party.

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit told UWindsor officials that the unauthorized gathering of students is currently being investigated.

“We all need to be responsible and consider how our behaviour today may affect our friends, family, and members of the larger community tomorrow,” said University of Windsor president Rob Gordon.

The university says it is working closely with the WECHU on this matter and will provide more information as it becomes available.

“This is a strong reminder to our student community that we cannot become complacent with our protocols and guidelines during this pandemic. There is simply too much at stake and we need to be stringent now more than ever,” said Gordon

Ryan Flannagan, associate vice-president, student experience at the University of Windsor told CTV News there was a gathering of mostly first year students at Alumni Hall from a variety of different programs.

He said the University followed up with the students and “made it very clear” what their expectations are moving forward, treating this instance as an education opportunity.

“We understand that young adults in and around Halloween wanted to get together and we’ve been very pleased with our students up until this point,” Flannagan said. “This is a bit of a slip on their part, but they understand it’s really important moving forward that they’re following the direction everyone is providing them in terms of being safe.”

He said the students have been provided information on expectations and understand what the consequences will be in the event they do not following the University’s direction in the future.

Additionally, the university has learned from Windsor Regional Hospital that four Faculty of Nursing students who were completing clinical placements have tested positive for COVID-19. The hospital has confirmed that the students did not contract the virus from within the hospital setting. The University is working closely with the hospital, which will issue its own media release.

“To the best of my knowledge the nurses were not having a party, it’s purely coincidental they came forward at the same time,” Flannagan said.

The university is currently following a remote learning model with most classes being held online this semester. Students, staff, and faculty are reminded to practice good hygiene; wear a mask; keep two-metres from others when possible; and that it is mandatory to complete a self-assessment questionnaire prior to attending campus, available online.

- With files from CTV Windsor's Alana Hadadean