Reaction is mixed as students won’t be required to wear masks in school for the first time when they return to class after the Victoria Day long weekend.
Masks have been mandatory in most indoor public places across Nova Scotia since July 31, 2020.
When the restrictions are lifted May 24 the province will be the last in Canada to remove mask mandates in schools.
When announcing the policy change Friday, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development Becky Druhan said masks will continue to be recommended and anyone who chooses to wear a mask will be supported.
In a release, Druhan said, “Masks helped schools mitigate the impact of COVID-19's sixth wave. But as warmer weather approaches in June and classes can spend more time outdoors, and with Nova Scotia's health data and school attendance data improving, now is the time to make masks optional in schools.”
In response to the announcement Doctors Nova Scotia tweeted out, “While the school mask mandate is being lifted beginning May 24, masks are still recommended in indoor spaces.”
Minister Druhan echoed the sentiment.
In her statement Druhan said, “We strongly encourage students and staff to continue to wear masks, and we will continue to support staff and students as well as continue to supply masks and hand sanitizer.”
In an interview with CBC, the chief of paediatrics at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax, Dr. Andrew Lynk warned that his facility is already stretched to its limits.
Lynk went on to say paediatricians across the province had hoped masking in schools would remain in place until the end of the school year on June 30 to prevent a rise in the number of children coming to hospital with COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses.
The weekly COVID update released by the province May 19 shows the number of new cases and hospitalizations continues to decline.
However, 24 people died as a result of COVID for the seven-day period ending May 16; 22 were aged 70 or older and nine lived in long-term care homes.
In an email to the school community Regional Executive Director of South Shore Regional Centre for Education Paul Ash said students, staff and visitors are encouraged to continue following core public health measures, including vaccinations, staying home if feeling unwell, following the COVID-19 daily checklist, and washing and sanitizing hands frequently.
Ash says while masks are no longer required, schools will continue to make them available to anyone who wishes.
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