Non-medical grade masks are required for all middle and secondary school students across B.C. effective immediately. (The Canadian Press)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

LAYERS OF PROTECTION

Mask mandate bolstered for middle and secondary school students, optional for elementary

Feb 4, 2021 | 10:18 AM

NANAIMO — All middle and secondary school students across the province must now wear masks while indoors at school.

Education minister Jennifer Whiteside updated directives to students and staff during an announcement on Thursday, Feb. 4.

“Our updated guidelines will now require all middle and secondary school students as well as all staff through K-12 to wear their non-medical mask in all indoor areas of the school including when they are in their learning group.”

Mask wearing remains optional for elementary aged students. Exceptions will be made for students and staff sitting or standing at their desk, where a plexi-glass or other barrier is present or while eating.

Previous mask restrictions were limited to common areas of the school including entries and hallways. Under the new orders, mask wearing would be extended to any movement around a classroom and group work between students.

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Whiteside said the issuing of mandatory masks is still only one layer of protection in place for students in school.

“We still very much need the other layers of protection. We need to ensure students and staff continue to follow safety guidelines including, very importantly, not coming to school sick even with mild symptoms.”

Schools in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith and Qualicum school districts have experienced multiple COVID-19 exposures since a return to in-class instruction in September.

Four schools in the Nanaimo region and two in Parksville are currently on Island Health’s list for exposures.

SD68 had a rash of exposure events and clusters at multiple schools in November as well.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced a mask-wearing policy in all indoor public buildings in the province in November, however schools were exempt from the order.

The Nanaimo and District Teachers Association is expressing frustration with the altered in-school mask-wearing policy.

Grievance officer Jeremy Inscho said the move comes much too late and only slightly adjusts what was in place.

“Students previously on their way to class had to wear a mask, now they have to wear a mask from the door to their seat, that’s not much more.”

Inscho pointed to other provinces like Alberta and Ontario who have stronger mask mandates for elementary-aged students.

“Why aren’t we protecting our students and staff to the same level other provinces are? It’s a concern,” Inscho said.

He said rapid testing would help ease concerns with COVID case loads rising in Nanaimo area schools.

The BC Teachers Federation lobbied for a stronger mask wearing rules in public schools since last August.

Further funding to school districts was also announced Thursday with $101.1 million split cross the province to help districts provide what’s needed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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