File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve / Q-101 Merritt

COVID-19

Enhanced mask mandate ‘a good first step’: Critic Tegart

Feb 4, 2021 | 4:31 PM

ASHCROFT, B.C. — On Thursday (Feb 4), BC’s Minister of Education Jennifer Whiteside announced enhanced safety standards for students and teachers in schools with regards to mask-wearing.

“To make sure schools continue to be as safe as possible for students and staff as the pandemic evolves, we have worked with provincial health and our partners on a continuous review of the guidelines, adapting and responding when needed,” said Whiteside. “We want students, their families, and staff to feel confident with the safety measures in place. That’s why we’re making these updates.”

Jackie Tegart, Fraser-Nicola Liberal MLA and Opposition Education Critic, joined Q101 News to address the positive step from the Ministry.

“I think it’s an announcement that’s moving in the right direction,” began Tegart. “It’s one of many steps that has been asked for by parents and school staff for quite some time. We’ve been hearing those voices for over five months, asking for more stringent mask rules and we saw that today.”

All middle and secondary students and K-12 staff will now be required to wear non-medical masks in all indoor areas, including when they are with their learning groups. The only exceptions are when:

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• sitting or standing at their seat or workstation in a classroom;
• there is a barrier in place; or
• they are eating or drinking.

“It certainly hasn’t gone as far as the BC Teachers Federation has been asking for, but it’s a step in the right direction,” added Tegart.

For some smaller communities in the province, schools range from K-12 in one building and Tegart questioned how the new guidelines will be implemented on a school by school basis.

“It will be interesting to see what it looks like when it hits the ground,” said Tegart. “I think about one of my schools here in Ashcroft that goes K-12. So, some of the kids are wearing masks, some are not. I’m waiting to hear how much clarity there is for those people that are in the building and those people who are implementing these guidelines. It’s critically important that there be constituency and that people understand what the rules are.”

Overall, Tegart says she is pleased the government is finally acting.

“We’re very pleased with this announcement today and that we are moving forward, and that the government has finally heard our voice after five months. If there are continued concerns we will continue to advocate for those. We’re saying it’s a good first step and we’ll see where we go from here,” concluded Tegart.