McGill University, UdeM to require students to wear masks at all times
McGill University and Université de Montréal (UdeM) are taking tougher stances than the Quebec government when it comes to mask requirements in class.
This fall, students at the two universities will have to wear procedural masks while seated in class, despite the Quebec government saying recently that they only have to be masked while unseated or walking around.
McGill says it is also limiting class sizes to no larger than 150 people.
All students in Quebec must wear masks while circulating, but McGill says it is maintaining distancing and mask rules while seated, though there is a plan to gradually phase out distancing over time, if conditions allow.
Professors at both universities will be allowed to remove their masks to teach, as long as they are at least two metres away from students.
At UdeM, masks can be removed if the person is in an enclosed office alone, in an individual workroom in the libraries, in a meeting room or in the dining area, as long as a two metre distance can be maintained.
MUHC immunologist Dr. Donald Vinh says he is on board with the decision since, he says, masking has proved to be such an effective measure against transmission.
"I'm not entirely sure I understand the government's directives here. I don't think that they should be soft or lax and I certainly don't think that it should be up to the individual to decide whether it is good for the rest of the people in that classroom," he said.
Vinh added that an ideal situation would be proper ventilation in all classrooms, as well as 100 per cent vaccination on campus.
"I'm actually quite proud that McGill [and UdeM] is taking that initiative, that in classes we are going to be doing masking," said Vinh.
He admits different campuses have different limitations, highlighting the importance of masking.
At the Waterloo and Ottawa universities, in addition to New York University, vaccines are mandatory for attendance. This is not the case in any Quebec university to date.
Human rights lawyer Pearl Eliades says institutions that do not institute mandatory vaccination orders could be challenged in the future, but it seems unlikely Quebec would institute a provincial order.
"The distinction being made is between essential activities and non-essential activities. That's the key dividing line," she said. "If you want to go to a bar, if you want to go to a restaurant, if you want to go to a sporting event, that is a non-essential activity, but accessing medical services, the right to education, those are things that are considered to be quite different."
The health ministry said Tuesday it is planning to set up vaccination clinics on campuses this fall to encourage as many students as possible to get the shots to protect themselves and others.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.