CMU’s COVID-19 Readiness Plan has been approved by the Ontario and Canadian governments in order to reopen to international students who are currently outside Canada.
International Student Resources
Overall Requirements
CMU’s plan for international and/or internationally arriving students follows the requirements of local health guidelines and the Government of Canada’s guidance for postsecondary institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic. CMU has an emergency management protocol and crisis communications system in place, and will work in concert with local public health authorities to proactively communicate and enforce COVID-19 precautions (physical distancing, hygiene measures, and mandatory masking), as well as to notify members of the community in the event of an outbreak of COVID-19 impacting campus facilities. Any public communications will be guided by public health best practices, as well as CMU’s responsibilities under applicable privacy legislation. CMU will continue to abide by local and provincial public health authorities to ensure adherence to all requirements.
CMU’s COVID-19 Readiness Plan has been approved by the Ontario and Canadian governments in order to reopen to international students who are currently outside Canada. CMU is committed to upholding the required institutional requirements for as long as the college appears on the approved Designated Learning Institutions list.
Pre-Arrival Requirements
CMU has and will continue to communicate with all international and/or internationally arriving students and their co-arriving immediate family before departure about the requirements of the Government of Canada Emergency Order under the Quarantine Act. Clear and consistent pre-departure communications about health and travel requirements will be delivered, emphasizing both the requirements and the penalties for failing to comply. Emails, virtual consultations, and websites are the primary vehicles for communicating the requirements and all relevant information to students and their immediate families.
Virtual advising sessions with CMU Admissions and Student Services staff enable students who are abroad to participate in one-on-one consultations. All international students have and will be surveyed about their plans to ensure that they have received, understand and are compliant with all requirements.
Students are encouraged to download the Government of Canada’s ArriveCAN app before arrival at the port of entry and to complete the information required, to ensure that all requirements are in place before arrival.
Pre-board COVID-19 molecular test for air travellers coming to Canada
All air travellers 5 years of age or older, regardless of citizenship, must provide proof of a negative laboratory molecular test result for COVID-19 to the airline before boarding international flights to Canada.
Airlines will refuse boarding to travellers who are unable to provide proof of a:
- negative COVID-19 test
- positive COVID-19 molecular test taken between 14 and 90 days prior to departure
Students and accompanying family members must:
- take the test within 72 hours of their scheduled departure time
- keep proof of test results for the 14-day period that begins on the day they enter Canada
For more information, review Government of Canada’s website.
Health Checklist
Students are informed that any student and co-arriving immediate family members who are at high risk for severe illness should consult with their healthcare provider as to whether it is safe for them to travel to Canada. They are advised that students and co-arriving family members with COVID-19 symptoms will not be allowed to board their flight to Canada and will not be able to enter Canada. This also applies if they have been identified as being exposed, have tested positive, are awaiting test results or have otherwise been instructed by their local public health authority to quarantine/isolate. Students are informed that all travellers entering Canada are required to wear a non-medical mask or face covering during travel, including to their place of quarantine, and that that failure to meet these requirements may result in a refusal of entry into the country. Students must have valid health insurance coverage in Canada! CBSA agents may ask students to demonstrate proof of health insurance coverage during their study period. Health insurance policies can be purchased by visiting Study Insured and Guard Me insurance websites.
Travel Authorization
Students are encouraged to download the Government of Canada’s ArriveCAN app before arrival at the port of entry and to complete the information required, to ensure that all requirements are in place before arrival. International students will be reminded that a study permit, temporary resident visa (TRV) or an eTA alone are not a travel authorization, and that IRCC will communicate to international students once travel authorization has been granted. They are also reminded that this authorization may be cancelled if the circumstances in their destined institution or province change. They are advised that failure to meet these requirements may result in a refusal of entry.
To support Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) in identifying essential reasons to travel to Canada, CMU will provide a letter of support for currently eligible students for presentation to CBSA where necessary. This letter will include student information, details about the student’s program, and CMU’s commitment. All international students identified will be advised to present this letter of support to CBSA officers at their port of entry.
Arrival Information
Students are required to submit their planned arrival information including their port of entry, arrival date and time to CMU by email to international@cmucollege.com to make any essential arrangements. Students are also advised that they and their co-arriving family members should submit their details through the ArriveCan app.
International and internationally arriving students and co-arriving immediate family members will have to undergo the necessary health checks and must quarantine (self-isolate) or isolate for 14 days upon arrival in Canada. Students are therefore advised to arrange to enter Canada at least 15 days prior to the first day of their program.
Transportation from Port of Entry
A CMU College staff member or delegate will meet the students and their co-arriving family members at their port of entry and accompany them to their quarantine accommodation. Students and their co-arriving family members will be actively screened by the CMU’s staff or an assigned representative for COVID-19 symptoms. They will be provided with a new surgical/procedural mask (e.g. medical masks) to use during their transportation and be reminded to physically distance from others and practice hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette during their travel. Students are informed that direct, uninterrupted travel must be arranged from their port of entry to Canada to their quarantine. Students are advised to arrange for pick-up from their port of entry by friends or family, or by private transport to be pre-arranged by CMU College on the students’ behalf. Private transport may include a personal vehicle, quarantine facility shuttle service or limousine service. Transportation from the airport to quarantine accommodations to be pre-arranged by CMU College on the students’ behalf will be provided by Red Car Service or Pearson Limo Company. (These services meet public health, IRCC, and CBSA safety guidelines for physical distancing). Students are asked to submit their transportation plan prior to arrival, and they are required to meet the cost of transportation from their port of entry to their place of quarantine.
The driver responsible for transporting students and co-arriving family members will be informed well in advance that they will be picking up travelers arriving in Canada and of any precautions they must take to protect their health and safety including: being informed not to work if symptomatic, ensuring that the driver and all passengers are wearing masks, the windows are down (weather permitting), and that physical distancing (between travelers not of the same household and with the driver.
Students and their co-arriving family MUST proceed directly and immediately to their quarantine accommodations. No planned or unplanned stops during travel to the quarantine site are permitted. Failure to follow the Quarantine Plan will result in penalties that include fines, imprisonment and possible expulsion from CMU College.
Public transportation is not deemed an appropriate means of travel by CBSA to the place of quarantine. Students and their co-arriving family must not take public transportation (e.g. bus, taxi, subway, coach bus, Uber, Lyft when leaving the airport.)
While in transit to the port of departure in their home country, in airports and during flights, and on arrival, students will be expected to follow all recommended personal hygiene and physical distancing guideline as per Public Health Ontario, including:
- Wearing a mask and gloves.
- Washing/sanitizing hands frequently.
- Observing appropriate physical distancing.
Mandatory 14-Day Quarantine Plan & Supports
Students are informed that all persons entering Canada by air, sea or land are required to quarantine for 14 days, even if they are asymptomatic, to limit the introduction and spread of COVID-19. They are advised that the 14-day period begins on the day the person enters Canada. In compliance with local public health requirements under the Government of Canada’s Quarantine Act, students arriving from international locations to Canada must have a detailed quarantine plan for 14 days from the point of arrival. They are required to quarantine for 14 days and to monitor for symptoms of COVID-19. Students will be instructed that while they are in quarantine, they must self-isolate for 14 days. Public Health Ontario defines this as not leaving home at all unless you need to get tested or require emergency medical care, and not having any visitors except as permitted (e.g., where a health care worker is visiting the home). People in self-isolation should arrange to have groceries and other necessities delivered to them.
Students arriving from international locations will be asked to complete a quarantine contact form with CMU before arrival that provides the opportunity for mandatory virtual check-ins by CMU staff or other forms of support. Students are advised that failure to meet these requirements may result in a refusal of entry, fines or possibly imprisonment. All students will be provided with access to an advisor prior to arrival to assist with developing their quarantine plan to ensure that their plan meets the requirements of the Government of Canada and local and provincial public health authorities.
Quarantine Supports
All students in quarantine will receive an initial mandatory virtual check-in, followed by daily email or phone check-ins from CMU staff members or designated volunteers.
- Students are encouraged to review the CMU Self-Isolation Guide to help them through their mandatory Quarantine.
- Daily virtual, phone and/or email check-ins will include questions about the student’s physical and mental well-being.
- Students are provided with 24/7 access to emotional wellness supports and services through the My Student Support app (mySSP) – available by phone or chat in the language of their choice at no cost to the student. Download on App Store and Google Play.
- Students in quarantine will be provided with information and resources for meal plans where available and local delivery of groceries, banking, pharmacy needs, etc. by their quarantine provider and/or CMU staff.
Students are advised to monitor their health while in quarantine. The ArriveCAN app should be used for daily symptom reporting.
- Multiple online resources related to COVID-19 infection control and monitoring of symptoms, including information pages and public health videos, will be provided to quarantined students.
- If students develop symptoms and/or their symptoms worsen, they should contact their healthcare provider or Telehealth 1-866-797-0000 for guidance. They may email: PublicHealth@toronto.ca in advance for in-person medical or crisis counselling appointments. If immediate medical attention is required, they should call 911.
- If students have questions about COVID-19, they may call the Toronto Public Health Hotline (8:30 am–8 pm). Translation is available in multiple languages. Tel: 416-338-7600. TTY: 416-392-0658.
CMU undertakes to mitigate the social barriers to comply with individual infection control practices by providing extensive individualized support throughout the 14-day quarantine period and beyond, including:
- Assistance in accessing necessary supplies, financial assistance, and other essential services
- One-on-one virtual consultations with CMU Students Services staff
- Confidential student wellness support services available 24/7 through the mySSP app
All students in mandatory quarantine will be reminded of the penalties that may be levied and that spot checks will be carried out.
If a student demonstrates symptoms of COVID-19 while in quarantine, the steps below will be followed:
- Students experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 must inform the CMU College staff member at international@cmucollege,com and their quarantine accommodations’ front-desk immediately. The assigned CMU College staff member will contact the point-person at their accommodations to ensure clear communication on the situation.
- With the assistance of the assigned CMU staff member, the student will contact Toronto Public Health authorities and take the recommended steps (e.g. continue self-isolation).
- The student does not directly go to a clinic or Hospital Emergency Room if experiencing any symptoms. If a student is concerned about the severity of their symptoms, and their condition requires immediate attention, they are instructed to call 911 for urgent assistance.
- The assigned CMU staff member will contact Toronto Public Health authorities to report the case or outbreak immediately and will then continue to closely monitor the student with daily phone and e-mail check-ins and provide additional assistance as necessary or requested by the student.
Breach & Violations of Quarantine
Students, faculty and staff must agree to abide by and sign CMU’s COVID-19 Safety Protocols, Escalation of Non-Compliance, and Disciplinary Framework Policy & Attestation Form. Breaches & violations of Quarantine will be dealt with very strictly and swiftly. The following, among other activities, will be considered a breach:
- Students may not leave their individual place of quarantine accommodation unless it is supervised and for limited medical reasons and to seek medical attention. If in a hotel, this means students cannot leave the private hotel room for any reason unless indicated by medical professionals, police, public health officials, or a CMU College staff member.
- Students may not have any visitors.
- Students may not remove their mask when opening the door and dealing with any quarantine support services, such as food delivery or health and wellness checks.
- Students may not move to be physically closer than 2 meters to any individual providing them with quarantine support services, such as food delivery or health and wellness checks. This does not apply in the situation where students are seeking and obtaining medical assistance – however students must ensure the medical professional providing them with treatment understands that they are in Quarantine as a recent arrival to Canada.
The penalties set by the government for not following the quarantine plan or breaching/violating quarantine rules can include:
- a fine of up to $750,000
- 6 months of jail time
- being found inadmissible, removed from Canada and banned from entering for 1 year
In the event of a breach of Quarantine by a student, CMU College is obliged to report the breach to Health Canada. Local police, local public health officials, Public Health Canada, Canada Border Security Services and IRCC will all be notified.
If students are unable to accept the terms and conditions of the Quarantine Act and the laws and regulations of Ontario as they relate to COVID-19, as well as the requirements of CMU College as they pertain to Quarantine Plan, they have the option to potentially defer their program to a later intake. Students are advised to consult with the CMU Admissions team to explore this option.
Quarantine Accommodations
Quarantine in Local Hotels
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, hotels across Toronto have created accommodation packages to meet the needs of international students required to quarantine upon entry into Canada. Each provider offers a different package, so students are encouraged to investigate all available options, including but not limited to:
Holiday Inn Airport East
600 Dixon Road, Toronto, ON, M9W 1J1
Tel: 416-240-7511
Website: hitorontoairport.ca
Four Points by Sheraton Toronto Airport
6257 Airport Rd, Mississauga, ON L4V 1E4
Tel: 905-678-1400 or Toll-free 1 800-565-5769
email: reservations@fourpointselementtoronto.com
Holiday Inn Express Toronto Downtown
111 Lombard Street, Toronto, ON, M5C 2T9
(Directly across the street from CMU College Lombard Street campus)
Tel: 416-367-5555
Website: https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/reservation
Quarantine in Student Housing
In response to the COVD-19 pandemic, arrangements have been made to provide international students with special student housing accommodations suitable for the mandatory 14-day quarantine upon arrival into Canada.
This includes:
Parkside Student Residence
111 Carlton Street, Toronto, ON, M5B 2G3
Tel: 416-977-8000
Website: live-parkside.ca
For a complete list of hotels offering Quarantine Accommodations, click here.
Quarantine in Private Accommodation
Students may quarantine in a private accommodation that meets the following requirements:
- Provides access to the necessities of life without leaving your place of quarantine
- Provides a separate bedroom if the space is shared with family/friends who didn’t travel with you
- Can limit your interactions with others in the household. If spaces, such as a kitchen, are shared:
- Wear a mask or face covering if a 2m distance cannot be maintained
- Thoroughly and regularly clean common areas after use
- Are not living with those at risk of more severe disease
- Are not in close contact with others who did not travel with you. For example, do not quarantine in: A group or communal living setting, including camps or students dorms unless the location is pre-authorized (or) A household with a large family or many people (or) A shared small apartment or similar setting
Students who choose to live in their own accommodations will be notified that they are required to present a plan for 14-day quarantine at a location that meets the requirements of the Government of Canada at the time and point of entry.
All CMU students required to quarantine will be advised to follow recommended guidelines to help mitigate risk at their hotel room or other place of quarantine, such as opening windows to increase air ventilation.
Additional Costs and Fees
Students are responsible for covering any extra costs associated with their quarantine hotel stay, transportation, food, hand disinfectant, PPE, face masks, etc.
Food and Other Essential Items
Staying in Local Hotels
Most of the hotels will be providing dietary accommodations to all students staying. Meals and groceries may also be ordered for delivery to your room. It is crucial that if you required anything, you contact the hotel’s concierge desk or order it to your room online. Leaving your room, even to run a small errand like getting groceries, is not allowed under the 14-day quarantine. Most grocery stores in Canada carry a variety of home, health, and hygiene products. Information on ordering groceries can be seen here.
Staying in a Student or Private Residence
If you are saying in a private residence you will be responsible for ordering and receiving all manner of meals, groceries and other items. You can receive packages from your accommodation’s front step if a house or mailroom/concierge desk if in an apartment building. You cannot leave your residence to do shopping or errands while in your 14-day quarantine, no matter how big or small the trip. Most grocery stores in Canada carry a variety of home, health, and hygiene products. Information on ordering groceries can be seen here.
COVID-19 Testing
The Ontario government requires all newly arrived international students to be tested for COVID-19 towards the end of their 14-day quarantine period. This is mandatory even if the student had tested negative for the virus before travelling to Canada and it is required for co-arriving family members if the student is travelling with immediate family members. CMU will coordinate arrangements with the student’s quarantine site provider or directly with the student for COVID-19 testing at or near the student’s quarantine site once their arrival is confirmed. Safe Transportation to the testing location from student’s quarantine location and back will be organized by CMU College and provided by Red Car Service or Pearson Limo Company. (These services meet public health, IRCC, and CBSA safety guidelines for physical distancing).
CMU staff or designated volunteers will follow up to check that the test has been conducted with a negative result before the student and co-arriving family members end their quarantine period. Students will be counselled that they must remain in quarantine until a negative test result is received, even if this means prolonging the quarantine period past Day 14.
For a list of COVID Assessment Centres, click here.
Pre-Departure Preparation
Please use our Quarantine and Pre-Arrival Checklist to prepare for your travels, and for your mandatory quarantine in Canada.
Please self-monitor and self-assess prior to departure and once you arrive in Canada. If you experience symptoms prior to departure, you must self-isolate and postpone your travel plans.Please download the Government of Canada’s ArriveCAN App before arrival at the port of entry, complete the information required and ensure that all requirements are in place before arrival. Remember a study permit, temporary resident visa (TRV) or an eTA alone are not a travel authorization. IRCC will communicate to international students once travel authorization has been granted. Your travel authorization may be cancelled if the circumstances in your destined institution or province change. Failure to meet these requirements may result in a refusal of entry. To support Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) in identifying essential reasons to travel to Canada, CMU will provide eligible students with a letter of support for presentation to CBSA where necessary. This letter will include student information, details about the student’s program, and CMU’s commitment.
Gather your travel/immigration documents and don’t forget to pack the following in your carry-on baggage:
- Passport
- Study Permit (for returning students)
- Letter of Introduction (for new students)
- Enrollment Letter or Letter of Acceptance
- Proof of Finances, Fee Invoice and Fee Payment Receipt,
- Travel Letter from CMU College of Makeup Art & Design
- All documents that were required for your Study Permit application.
- A copy of your Quarantine Plan, Contact Information & Attestation Form.
- Negative COVID-19 test
- Positive COVID-19 molecular test taken between 14 and 90 days prior to departure
Before you leave home
If you are a low-risk contact of someone who tests positive for COVID-19 or if you are aware that you are a low-risk contact of someone who is symptomatic and awaiting test results, you will be required to self-monitor for 14 days after exposure. Self-monitoring includes minimizing contact with others and monitoring yourself for symptoms including fever, difficulty breathing, loss of smell or taste and others as outlined in the COVID-19 Screening Form provided. If symptoms develop, you must seek medical attention immediately, get tested and self-isolate. The Ontario Ministry of Health has created a screening tool to use while self-monitoring. The screening tool will recommend next steps for you to take based on your self-described symptoms. Follow the instructions provided by the screening tool. A positive screening will likely result in the need for testing and self-isolation.
Students are informed that they and their co-arriving immediate family must have a detailed quarantine plan for 14 days from the point of arrival in place, in accordance with the requirements set out in the Emergency Order Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Mandatory Isolation). Under the Government of Canada’s Quarantine Act. and in accordance with local public health guidance, internationally arriving students will be required to quarantine away from vulnerable populations and must not stay in a communal or group setting. They must also ensure they have access to the necessities of life. We clarify that failure to meet these requirements for a quarantine plan prior to departure may result with a refusal of entry, fines or possibly imprisonment. Students are asked to provide CMU with their detailed quarantine plan prior to departure.
Prior to arrival, students are required to complete and submit the Quarantine Plan, Contact Information and Attestation Form provided to them by CMU to confirm their understanding of their pre-arrival and quarantine requirements. It also ensures that CMU has the information necessary to contact them and their emergency contacts while they are in Canada. The contact form includes a question asking students if they have disabilities or other health conditions that require accommodation. An affirmative answer will prompt a series of specific supports for the student covered in one-on-one consultations and follow-up sessions with CMU staff.
Students are required to submit their planned arrival information including their port of entry, arrival date and time to CMU by email to international@cmucollege.com to make any essential arrangements. Students are also advised that they and their co-arriving family members should submit their details through the ArriveCan App. International and internationally arriving students and co-arriving immediate family members will have to undergo the necessary health checks and must quarantine (self-isolate) or isolate for 14 days upon arrival in Canada. Students are therefore advised to arrange to enter Canada at least 15 days prior to the first day of their program.
A CMU College staff member or delegate will meet the students and their co-arriving family members at their port of entry and accompany them to their quarantine accommodation. Students and their co-arriving family members will be actively screened by the CMU’s staff or an assigned representative for COVID-19 symptoms. They will be provided with a new surgical/procedural mask (e.g. medical masks) to use during their transportation and be reminded to physically distance from others and practice hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette during their travel. Students are informed that direct, uninterrupted travel must be arranged from their port of entry to Canada to their quarantine. Students are advised to arrange for pick-up from their port of entry by friends or family, or by private transport to be pre-arranged by CMU College on the students’ behalf. Private transport may include a personal vehicle, quarantine facility shuttle service or limousine service. Transportation from the airport to quarantine accommodations to be pre-arranged by CMU College on the students’ behalf will be provided by Red Car Service or Pearson Limo Company. (These services meet public health, IRCC, and CBSA safety guidelines for physical distancing).
The driver responsible for transporting students and co-arriving family members will be informed well in advance that they will be picking up travelers arriving in Canada and of any precautions they must take to protect their health and safety including: being informed not to work if symptomatic, ensuring that the driver and all passengers are wearing masks, the windows are down (weather permitting), and that physical distancing (between travelers not of the same household and with the driver.
Students and their co-arriving family MUST proceed directly and immediately to their quarantine accommodations. No planned or unplanned stops during travel to the quarantine site are permitted. Failure to follow the Quarantine Plan will result in penalties that include fines, imprisonment and possible expulsion from CMU College.
Public transportation is not deemed an appropriate means of travel by CBSA to the place of quarantine. Students and their co-arriving family must not take public transportation (e.g. bus, taxi, subway, coach bus, Uber, Lyft when leaving the airport.)
While in transit to the port of departure in their home country, in airports and during flights, and on arrival, students will be expected to follow all recommended personal hygiene and physical distancing guideline as per Public Health Ontario, including:
- Wearing a mask and gloves.
- Washing/sanitizing hands frequently.
- Observing appropriate physical distancing.
Students are asked to submit their transportation plan prior to arrival, and they are required to meet the cost of transportation from their port of entry to their place of quarantine.
Post-Quarantine Support
Students will be provided with daily learning, personally guided practice, and instructor feedback. They will have regular interactive engagement with a supportive, creative community, and they will be provided with multiple ways to communicate and exchange ideas with both teachers and classmates.
- Our blended learning approach provides students with diverse learning experiences. In addition to in-person instruction where required, students are provided online instructional sessions and video recordings of live lectures and demonstrations. CMU students have 24/7 access to review materials repeatedly, enabling greater flexibility and the opportunity to learn at a comfortable pace.
- Students are also provided with 24/7 access to emotional wellness supports and services through the My Student Support app (mySSP) – available by phone or chat in the language of their choice at no cost to the student.
- CMU has several mechanisms for dealing with discrimination, harassment and bias including a racism, discrimination, violence and sexual harassment policy and a Code of Conduct Policy.
- Students are made aware of these services and policies in their Admissions package and again through orientation sessions (online and/or in-person) at the start of their program.
CMU Student Services staff are available for individual student consultations from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday or after regular school hours by appointment to support students when and as required. Virtual meetings are encouraged to minimize risk.
Before you Arrive on Campus
After your quarantine period ends, if you are tested negative on your COVID-19 test, you may enter our campus on your scheduled date. Prior to entering campus, please review our Health & Safety Plan here.