TORONTO - The Department of Athletics and Recreation at Ryerson University will require its student-athletes competing on varsity and competitive club teams to be double vaccinated against COVID-19 ahead of the fall season.

Full immunization must be completed by September 16, 2021 for student-athletes to be medically cleared for competition.

"The science is clear about the transmission of COVID-19. Our student-athletes engage in training and competition that place them in close proximity with each other and therefore they are at higher risk, hence we are requiring them to be double vaccinated. Doing so protects their health and well-being, and that of the broader Ryerson community," said Louise Cowin, Executive Director of Athletics and Recreation.

Accommodations will be in place for student-athletes who are unable to get vaccinated for health reasons, or for other grounds that prevent vaccination related to religion or creed.  Vaccine exemptions for medical reasons will require the sign off from a medical doctor; exemptions for religion or creed will require the completion of a personal attestation, signed by a notary.

Unvaccinated student-athletes will be required to participate in rapid antigen testing multiple times each week. Testing will be required up to five times per week: twice between Monday and Thursday; plus on the travel day to competition, plus each day of competition.

Those needing to book a vaccination appointment can find their closest primary care clinic or pharmacy offering vaccines on the province's central vaccine booking site.