New notebooks: check. New pens and pencils: check. New gym wear: check. New masks? You’d better check, because the new school year mandates all BC students wear them..The BC government on Tuesday announced new mask rules scheduled to begin August 24..As well, health officials announced mask requirements for high school students and some elementary school students will kick off the new semester in September..“The mask requirement that was in place last spring will continue in place to start this upcoming school year,” said Education Minister Jennifer Whiteside..That translates to Grade 4 to 12 students — as well as K-12 staff — will have to wear non-medical masks in all indoor areas, including classrooms and school buses. Students from kindergarten to Grade 3 will be encouraged, but not required to wear masks..Citing high vaccination rates, the province allowed there’s no mandate for teachers, staff and eligible students to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to return to the classroom..“It’s proportional to the risk. We know schools are a safe setting, that the risk of transmission in the school settings is actually very low, even in the absence of vaccines last year,” said Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry..Government records show as of last week, 57% of youth aged 12 to 17 in B.C. have been fully vaccinated, with 72% already having received a single dose..The proof-of-vaccination requirement will apply to post-secondary students and will apply to students who live in student housing or participate in some common extra-curricular s of student life..“The goal is to get more people vaccinated because we know our safety on campus increases when people are vaccinated,” said Anne Kang, minister of Citizens’ Services..All provincial guidelines also apply to independent schools..Henry said youth aged 12 to 17 will have “easy access” to vaccination this school year..Many of the safety measures in the safety plan have been carried over from last year, including enhanced cleaning and health and safety checklists..Mike D’Amour is the British Columbia Bureau Chief for the Western Standard..,.mdamour@westernstandardonline.com
New notebooks: check. New pens and pencils: check. New gym wear: check. New masks? You’d better check, because the new school year mandates all BC students wear them..The BC government on Tuesday announced new mask rules scheduled to begin August 24..As well, health officials announced mask requirements for high school students and some elementary school students will kick off the new semester in September..“The mask requirement that was in place last spring will continue in place to start this upcoming school year,” said Education Minister Jennifer Whiteside..That translates to Grade 4 to 12 students — as well as K-12 staff — will have to wear non-medical masks in all indoor areas, including classrooms and school buses. Students from kindergarten to Grade 3 will be encouraged, but not required to wear masks..Citing high vaccination rates, the province allowed there’s no mandate for teachers, staff and eligible students to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to return to the classroom..“It’s proportional to the risk. We know schools are a safe setting, that the risk of transmission in the school settings is actually very low, even in the absence of vaccines last year,” said Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry..Government records show as of last week, 57% of youth aged 12 to 17 in B.C. have been fully vaccinated, with 72% already having received a single dose..The proof-of-vaccination requirement will apply to post-secondary students and will apply to students who live in student housing or participate in some common extra-curricular s of student life..“The goal is to get more people vaccinated because we know our safety on campus increases when people are vaccinated,” said Anne Kang, minister of Citizens’ Services..All provincial guidelines also apply to independent schools..Henry said youth aged 12 to 17 will have “easy access” to vaccination this school year..Many of the safety measures in the safety plan have been carried over from last year, including enhanced cleaning and health and safety checklists..Mike D’Amour is the British Columbia Bureau Chief for the Western Standard..,.mdamour@westernstandardonline.com
