Masks will be mandatory as of Grade 1 in nine Quebec regions as COVID-19 numbers climb
Masks will be mandatory in classrooms for both elementary and high schools in nine regions of Quebec, including Montreal and Monteregie, Education Minister Jean-François Roberge said Tuesday.
"This is a measure that is preventive and prudent," said Roberge. "This is not a situation that is ideal. It is not something that we had hoped for at the beginning of the summer."
The other regions that will require masks at all times in schools are: Centre-du-Quebec, Outaouais, Laval, The Eastern Townships, Lanaudiere, the Lower Laurentians, and Mauricie.
The news comes as a relief for many parents.
"It’s a good thing and we’re really happy," said English Parents Committee Association President Kathy Korakakis. "Because of the variant and because of everything we’re hearing parents were really nervous about sending their kids back to school without having masks on."
In the other eight regions - Bas-Saint-Laurent, Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Côte-Nord, Nord-du-Québec, Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Capitale-Nationale and Chaudière-Appalaches - students will be required to wear masks in common areas, on buses and while moving about the school.
"Our ultimate goal is to keep kids and avoiding closing classrooms," said Roberge.
The same rules will apply in adult vocational training programs and adult education.
The announcement came following a meeting Monday between the minister and Quebec Public Health Director Dr. Horacio Arruda.
Quebec Provincial Association of Teachers (QPAT) president Heidi Yetman was pleased with the announcement and said that last year was very difficult for many educators.
"It’s better to go in strong and then to remove measures than to go in weak and start adding measures," she said. "One of the things our teachers told us about last year was the constant change in directives that was very difficult for them."
All other parts of the plan announced in June, including the elimination of classroom bubbles, remained in place, said Roberge. Field trips and after-school activities will also be back.
Students will not require vaccine passports to participate in sports or other activities at school. However, in inter-school competitions that include prolonged contact, a vaccine passport will be required.
This comes after both parents and school staff expressed concerns due to the recent rise in COVID-19 numbers because of the highly contagious Delta variant.
Sunday, the English Montreal School Board (EMSB) said it was considering making masks mandatory in classrooms from Grade 1 and up starting Sept. 1.
According to the EMSB, this caused a “tremendous amount of anxiety” among parent groups, prompting the school board to consider creating its own rules.
“The Delta variant and the fact that elementary school children cannot get vaccinated yet has everyone worried,” said EMSB Chair Joe Ortona. "The COVID-19 pandemic is far from over.".
Roberge said the ministry will work with public health to get as many students over 12 years old vaccinated.
He said there are no current plans for a mandatory vaccination mandate.
Arruda explained that contract tracing will be done differently this year. A child who tests positive for COVID-19 will be removed from the classroom while everyone else stays in school, but will be tested over the course of the following week.
"We have adapted our protocols to have a risk management that will keep most of kids in school and not have to take off everybody in contact with cases," said Arruda.
RAPID TESTING
Roberge said that public health authorities are considering deploying rapid tests in primary and secondary schools in regions where the epidemiological situation is of greater concern.
The rapid testing plan would be in addition to established testing practices.
"In specific schools in regions where transmission is higher and where there is a lower vaccination coverage and at a higher risk of outbreaks in schools, those [rapid testing kits] are going to be used in those specific situations to help people rapidly get back to class," said Arruda.
VENTILATION IMPROVEMENTS
Roberge said renovations continue throughout the school network on the ventilation systems that caused many issues over the past year.
"We did improve a lot of ventilation systems," said Roberge. "A lot of windows have been changed so they can be opened easily."
He said a report is forthcoming.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Montreal man on the hook for thousands of dollars after a feature on his Tesla caused an accident
A Montreal man is warning Tesla drivers about using the Smart Summon feature after his vehicle hit another in a parking lot.
Denial and uncertainty are looming over a Biden-Trump rematch 6 months out from U.S. Election Day
Exactly six months before Election Day, Biden and Trump are locked in the first contest in 112 years with a current and former president competing for the White House. It's a race that is at once deeply entrenched and highly in flux as many voters are only just beginning to embrace the reality of the 2024 campaign.
Maple Leafs eliminated from NHL playoffs with Game 7 OT loss to Bruins
Sheldon Keefe told his players hockey history would remember them one way or another.
opinion You don't need to be an influencer to earn income from social media
How legitimate are claims by some content creators that the average person can earn passive income from social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram? Personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says it's quite possible, if you're willing to put in the initial time and effort.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Ukraine marks its third Easter at war as it comes under fire from Russian drones and troops
As Ukraine marked its third Easter at war, Russia on Sunday launched a barrage of drones concentrated in Ukraine's east, wounding more than a dozen people, and claimed its troops took control of a village they had been targeting.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.
Trudeau 'absolutely' best person to lead the Liberals in next election: LeBlanc says
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc insists he's not planning a leadership campaign to head the Liberal party, should current leader and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resign, seemingly quashing rumours he's planning to make a move for his boss' job.
Chemical spill could be cause of stinky water in Puslinch, Ont., new report says
People living in Puslinch, Ont. may have the answer to why their water smelled so bad last year.