Hamilton’s public school board calls for reinstatement of mask mandate

The Hamilton Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) unanimously voted on Monday to call for a reinstatement of mask mandates in its schools.

Chair Dawn Danko suggested she write open letters to the Ministry of Education and the city’s health department to request “urgent reconsideration” of the decision to end mask mandates back in March.

Mask mandates were lifted in most public settings across Ontario on March 21, including in schools, restaurants, gyms and retail settings.

The HWDSB moved forward with its plan to mandate masking indoors and on school buses until April 1, despite the fact that it did not get endorsement from the province or public health. Some trustees called the decision to end the mask mandate a “rushed” and “irresponsible decision made by the province.”

At the beginning of April, the board no longer mandated masks at schools, but it strongly encouraged students and staff to wear them anyways.

On Monday, the province’s chief medical officer, Dr. Kieran Moore said the province is in a sixth wave, but that a mask mandate will not be reinstated.

Danko also said Hamilton’s public health department is not changing any current recommendations that encourage masks in indoor settings where physical distancing is difficult.