Close X
Monday, November 11, 2024
ADVT 
National

Some colleges, universities to keep masking

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 11 Mar, 2022 01:16 PM
  • Some colleges, universities to keep masking

Some Canadian post-secondary institutions are warning students not to toss their masks just yet, even as provincial governments drop the long-standing public health measure.

The schools are opting for a more cautious approach to COVID-19, citing concerns about potential outbreaks, while provinces – including British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario – have pointed to promising public health indicators such as test positivity rates and hospitalizations as reasons for lifting mask mandates.

The University of British Columbia is telling students to keep their masks on until the end of the semester on April 30 in order to prevent the spread of the virus, though the provincial mandate ended Friday.

The University of Alberta, meanwhile, has told students they must wear a mask until March 16, while that province lifted the rule on March 1. Going forward, masking will be "recommended, not required" at the university.

"We strongly recommend that you continue to wear masks in high-traffic or high-capacity spaces, and in other areas where you are in close proximity to others," the school said in a statement Friday. "We also ask that U of A students, faculty, staff and visitors respect the choices of others in our community regarding masking as we transition into this next phase together."

In Ontario, where the mask mandate will lift March 21, Western University, the University of Waterloo and Mohawk College have all said they plan to require that students wear masks for the rest of the winter term.

"There are many places across campus where physical distancing is simply not possible – classrooms and labs, residences, libraries, sport and recreation facilities and some work areas – so this is the best option to ensure the health and safety of our campus," a statement from Western reads.

The school has been in touch with local public health officials, the statement said, and they confirmed that COVID-19 is still spreading in the community.

"While we know that many of us are looking forward to moving past certain protocols, we must continue to prioritize the safety of our campus in the context of our unique environment," the statement reads.

Those schools are also keeping their vaccine mandates in place, though the province has ended its vaccine certificate system, which applied to certain public settings.

"To ensure that we can continue the rest of this semester in person, Western's masking mandate and vaccination policy will remain in effect until at least the end of this term," the statement says.

MORE National ARTICLES

466 COVID19 cases for Tuesday

466 COVID19 cases for Tuesday
There are 523 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19 and 83 are in intensive care. In the past 24 hours, no new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 2,873.

466 COVID19 cases for Tuesday

Closing arguments underway in B.C. clerk case

Closing arguments underway in B.C. clerk case
Brock Martland made the allegation as he began closing arguments in the Crown's case against Craig James, who has pleaded not guilty to two counts of fraud over $5,000 and three counts of breach of trust.

Closing arguments underway in B.C. clerk case

Vancouver police have charged a man following an alleged carjacking in a westside neighbourhood.

Vancouver police have charged a man following an alleged carjacking in a westside neighbourhood.
They say a 58-year-old woman was allegedly forced out of her car Sunday morning in Fairview. They say officers found the car and the suspect soon after in Strathcona.

Vancouver police have charged a man following an alleged carjacking in a westside neighbourhood.

Canada expected to see 'temperature roller-coaster Spring-Forecast

Canada expected to see 'temperature roller-coaster Spring-Forecast
Sherilee Harper of the University of Alberta and one of the 330 authors of the summary report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, there will be impacts on human health and well-being. She says fleeing wildfires and flooding caused by climate change imposes mental-health costs.

Canada expected to see 'temperature roller-coaster Spring-Forecast

BC health officials to provide latest on COVID19

BC health officials to provide latest on COVID19
Officials say the number of people in hospitals due to COVID-19 declined again with 549 patients in hospital as of yesterday, a drop from 599 on Friday.

BC health officials to provide latest on COVID19

31 year old Surrey male from Guildford area dies due to self inflicted injury

31 year old Surrey male from Guildford area dies due to self inflicted injury
The 31-year-old male was taken to hospital and sadly succumbed to his injury. Surrey RCMP’s General Investigation Unit has assumed conduct of the investigation and initial indications are that it was a self-inflicted injury. 

31 year old Surrey male from Guildford area dies due to self inflicted injury