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

Law protecting French targets francophone migrants

Law protecting French targets francophone migrants
The bill modernizing the Official Languages Act would ensure that federally regulated companies, including banks, airlines, and trains and buses crossing provincial lines, would have to serve Canadians in French as well as English. 

Law protecting French targets francophone migrants

Canadian economy grew 4.6% in 2021

Canadian economy grew 4.6% in 2021
The increase of 15.4 per cent for the year was second only to the 17.4 per cent gain recorded in 1983 as the country came out of a recession the previous year.

Canadian economy grew 4.6% in 2021

Canada calls for ICC investigation of Russia

Canada calls for ICC investigation of Russia
Joly announced Canada's intent in Geneva Tuesday after she and other Western officials walked out in the middle of the address by their Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, at the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Canada calls for ICC investigation of Russia

Ottawa to review Russian Aeroflot flight

Ottawa to review Russian Aeroflot flight
In a Twitter post Sunday night, the department said Aeroflot flight 111 violated the prohibition that was imposed earlier in the day in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Ottawa to review Russian Aeroflot flight

BCREA criticizes cooling-off period for housing

BCREA criticizes cooling-off period for housing
Earlier this month, the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver said a lack of supply caused January home sales to slow from a record-setting pace last year, nonetheless pushing the benchmark price up 18.5 per cent from last January, to about $1.2 million.

BCREA criticizes cooling-off period for housing

Police investigate homicide at UBC Okanagan campus

Police investigate homicide at UBC Okanagan campus
The Kelowna RCMP say in a news release Monday that the 24-year-old woman who was allegedly assaulted Saturday morning while working on campus succumbed to her injuries.

Police investigate homicide at UBC Okanagan campus