The exceptions will be when they are sitting or standing at their desk or work station in a classroom, when there is a barrier in place or when they are eating or drinking, she said.
Previously, students and staff were only required to wear masks in areas where interactions are not controlled, such as in hallways, libraries and on school buses. It is critical to remember that masks do not prevent the spread of COVID-19 on their own, Whiteside said.
For elementary school students, wearing masks indoors remains a personal choice, she said.
The new mask mandate does not go as far as some provinces with higher COVID-19 infection rates. In Quebec, high schoolers must wear masks at all times inside school buildings and in Ontario, the rule also applies to elementary students.
B C reviewing Chilliwack school board s commitment to safety, inclusion
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B C reviewing Chilliwack school board s commitment to safety, inclusion - BC News
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