Masks will play a ‘significant role’ in schools this fall, says education minister

As families, teachers and health officials grapple with returning to school during a global pandemic, mandatory masks continue to be a hot topic.

On Monday, BC’s education minister announced that face coverings will play a “significant role” in classrooms this fall and will be required in certain situations.

“Government is providing masks to all staff, student and teachers in the school system. That is part of our resource package to start the year,” said minister Rob Fleming.

“Masks are going to play a significant role come September. We are looking at the approach the different provinces are taking.”

Alberta has made mask-wearing mandatory in school's common areas for students in Grade 4 to Grade 12.

Students in Ontario from Grade 4 and up will be required to wear masks even while in class.

School settings will look much different as kids return safely to the classroom. Our plan, guided by Dr. Bonnie Henry, includes new safety measures to protect students, teachers & staff.

See Dr. Henry's response to a question about the harm of keeping schools closed. 👇 pic.twitter.com/YHPuzI8Gug

— John Horgan (@jjhorgan) August 7, 2020

In a recent Leger poll, 73 per cent of parents in B.C. want to see masks mandatory in common spaces at schools such as hallways and cafeterias.

However, BC's stop doctor has stopped short of mandating masking in public schools.

Dr. Bonnie Henry maintains that masks are helpful in certain situations, but remain the least effective method of protection against transmission.

"We also know that masks interfere with the ability to learn. So I think that there's a lot more that we need to understand, but right now the role of masks in those schools will be in those settings where you cannot maintain social distancing, in hallways and settings like that for older children," said Henry in her daily update.

"It is a challenge and to think of a young child sitting all day in a classroom with a mask on is probably unrealistic."

BC health officials are planning staggered starts to the day and one-way flow down hallways will also help prevent the spread of COVID-19.