Burnaby schools latest to extend mask mandate to children in Kindergarten through Grade 3
Burnaby has joined the list of school districts that will soon be requiring students in Kindergarten through Grade 3 to wear face masks at school.
In a statement Thursday, the Burnaby Board of Education announced that the expanded mask mandate will take effect on Monday, Oct. 4.
“We are hoping the province makes it a provincial mandate, so districts don’t have to do this,” said Daniel Tetrault, the president of the Burnaby Teachers Association. “But in the meantime, we are encouraged that districts are adopting and extending the mask mandate.”
A new order from provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has cleared the way for school districts to bring in their own enhanced mask measures, but some parents would like to see the B.C. government be more proactive.
“It feels like unfortunately she’s left each school district to fend for themselves. I really would have liked to see more leadership from her on that," said Kyenta Martins with the Safe Schools Coalition BC. "However, I do appreciate that the school districts now have the autonomy to be able to put in mask mandates."
The Burnaby Board of Education made the decision to expand the mask mandate at a special meeting Thursday morning. The vote in favour of the change was unanimous, according to the board's statement.
Earlier in the week, the Vancouver School Board also voted unanimously to require younger students to wear masks at school. The Surrey Board of Education followed suit on Wednesday.
Province-wide, the mask mandate is only in place for Grades 4 through 12, but teachers and parents have been urging school districts to follow Vancouver's lead and implement their own rules for younger children.
“We are out in Delta and we would like to see K-12 masks as well,” said Scott Lowrey, who has two kids in elementary school. “As adults we have all these precautions and vax passports and all this stuff, but for some reason kindergartens, Grades 1, 2 and 3 are out of that mix.”
North Vancouver mom Alison Verheyde wants action in her child’s school district, too.
“I am really surprised that North Vancouver hasn’t taken this as a positive PR spin to say we hear you, and we can now do it, and we are doing it today,” she said. “Why are the children in North Vancouver treated differently than the children across the bridge? It doesn’t make any sense to me.”
The three Metro Vancouver school districts' decisions to implement their own mandates come amid a spike in COVID-19 infections among children under age 10 in B.C.
Burnaby's expanded mask mandate will apply to all students while they are indoors at school, unless they are "medically, developmentally, behaviourally or otherwise legitimately precluded" from wearing masks, according to the board's statement.
"Staff will continue to work with students and families in a positive and supportive way regarding mask wearing," the statement reads.
"The board is grateful to Fraser Health’s medical officer for meeting on an urgent basis (Wednesday) evening. Her assurance that masks are an effective layer of protection for all students when used in concert with other health and safety measures informed the board’s decision to promptly implement this new mask requirement for K-3 students."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
With contactless screening tech, this Toronto startup hopes to catch breast cancer early — and save lives
Amid evidence of rising breast cancer rates among young women in Canada, one Toronto startup is offering a contactless and radiation-free device that can help doctors identify suspicious changes in breast tissue. The company, Linda Lifetech, says this can lead to earlier detection of breast cancer.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Florida deputies who fatally shot U.S. airman burst into wrong apartment, attorney says
Deputies responding to a disturbance call at a Florida apartment complex burst into the wrong unit and fatally shot a Black U.S. Air Force airman who was home alone when they saw he was armed with a gun, an attorney for the man's family said Wednesday.