File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By James Peters

COVID-19

Masks mandated, vaccination encouraged as B.C. government unveils guidelines for upcoming school year

Aug 24, 2021 | 10:24 AM

VICTORIA — B.C. students and staff will see a more normal school year in 2021-22, but some measures protecting against COVID-19 will remain in place.

In a news conference Tuesday morning (Aug. 24), Education Minister Jennifer Whiteside confirmed cohorts, or learning groups, will no longer be in effect.

However, the province is mandating mask-wearing indoors for all staff in Kindergarten-to-Grade-12 settings and for all students in Grade 4 and older. Masks will be recommended for students in Grade 3 and younger.

“What we announced in June is that we would continue with the foundations of our health and safety guidelines, the daily health check and attendance management, ensuring that students and staff do not come to school while they’re sick, ongoing hand hygiene, ensuring enhanced cleaning and having in place a health and safety checklist for school administrators,” Whiteside said.

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There will be no proof of vaccination required for staff in the K-to-12 system, though Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says vaccination for all staff and students over the age of 12 is optimal.

“We are encouraging, of course, all people who work in the education sector and all children 12-to-17 who are eligible for vaccination to immunized,” Henry said. “We’re supporting that through clinics that we’ll be having with schools and in communities.”

Shortly after the announced, the B.C. Teachers Federation tweeted it would not be opposed to mandatory vaccines.

Whiteside said vaccination it is the strongest measure of protection and noting the significant vaccination uptake has put B.C. “in a different place”, which is why measures this school year differ from those put in place last year.

“We are not in the same position now coming into this school year as we were last year,” noted Whiteside. “We have vaccines, we have very high uptake with respect to vaccines and we know that the best place for children to be learning is in schools with all of the supports that are there. That is why there are a number of other measures in place.”

Advanced Education Minister Anne Kang noted mask mandates will be in place indoors on university campuses.

“For campus life, the new provincial proof of vaccination requirement announced [Monday] means people must be vaccinated in order to live in student housing, to go to a pub, to go to a gym including varsity students, to attend an indoor club meeting like joining a choir,” said Kang.

Meantime, Henry announced the mask mandate for indoor, public places has been expanded to the entire province. The mandate was reintroduced for the entirety of Interior Health last Friday (Aug. 20).