(Submitted photo/Lisa Campbell)

By Derek Craddock

MASKS IN SCHOOLS

P.A. public and Catholic follow province’s direction, remove mask mandates

Feb 17, 2022 | 10:32 AM

Masks will soon be a voluntary option for students and staff at Catholic and public schools in Prince Albert.

Last week, the Saskatchewan Rivers Public School Division (SRPSD) announced masks will be an individual’s choice as of February 28.

On Wednesday, the Prince Albert Catholic School Division (PACSD) followed suit saying mask requirements for students and staff will no longer be in effect as of that date.

“Our local medical health officials continue to recommend using masks indoors, and we suspect many will continue to use them while in school to help protect themselves and others,” said Director of Education Lorel Trumier in a letter to parents and staff. “As this shift to personal responsibility to address the pandemic, we trust that everyone will respect the choices of others regarding mask use.”

That same protocol will be in place for the SRPSD saying they “support continued mask use for as long as individuals feel it is necessary, based on their own personal risk factors.”

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Both school divisions have already lifted the proof of vaccination or negative test requirement for staff as of February 14.

Despite these measures being lifted, both divisions acknowledge that COVID-19 is still in the community and are using different measures to help mitigate the spread.

This includes making masks available to those who request them, daily health screenings, staying home if a student or staff member is unwell or test positive for COVID-19, and regular hand washing.

“We continue to rely on your support to monitor the health of your children and ensure they stay home if they have COVID or flu-like symptoms or are sick,” said SRPSD Director of Education Robert Bratvold in a notice to families.

In a written directive to Saskatchewan school boards last week, Education Minister Dustin Duncan required school divisions to follow the government’s lead and remove these mandates at the appropriate times. In that same letter though, Duncan acknowledged that masks can still be worn voluntarily and that policies related to proof of vaccination for staff remain within the discretion of the employer.

The Northern Lights School Division has said its current COVID-19 plan will remain in place, meaning proof of vaccination for staff is still required. Masking rules and other COVID-19 protocols will be reassessed on February 28.

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derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @pa_craddock