Several schools in Hamilton and Niagara Region say they will continue to require staff and students to wear masks indoors even after the provincial mandates are set to be lifted on March 21.

During a special board meeting on Thursday, Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board voted in favour of keeping mask protocols in place until at least April 15.

McMaster University, Brock University and Mohawk College have all said they will keep their masking requirements until at least the end of the winter term.

Brock says along with mandatory masking, students will continue to be required to complete self-screening. The University says its COVID-19 vaccine mandate for anyone coming to campus and students living in residence also remains in place.

McMaster says the mask requirement will be coupled with other ongoing safety measures, including the vaccination mandate, active screening and improving the school’s ventilation systems, to create a stable environment.

“Health and safety remain key to our successful return to campus. This creates needed stability, which is essential for students as they finish their classes and head toward exams, and for faculty and staff who are continuing their transition back to campus,” states an update on McMaster’s website. “For continuity, McMaster will maintain its longstanding mask requirement within all indoor sites until at least the end of the winter semester, including exams.”

Mohawk College says it will provide an update of its plans for the spring and summer semesters by April 1.

On Wednesday, Ontario’s chief medical officer of health announced the province will drop most mask mandates including in schools and child-care settings on March 21.

Other public safety measures at schools like cohorting and daily screening will also be removed at that time.

Niagara College posted a tweet on Thursday and said it will be reviewing the province’s announcement, consulting with public health and actively monitoring COVID-19 trends to determine if it will continue with masks and the college’s COVID-19 safety protocols moving forward – including for the remainder of the winter term and spring 2022.

Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board sent a note to parents and caregivers saying masks would no longer be required for students, staff and visitors in schools, board offices, and on school buses following March Break.

However, individuals returning from international travel must wear a mask in schools for 14 days upon their return.

The board said individuals who choose to continue to wear masks or eye protection are welcome to do so.

The public and Catholic school boards in Niagara say masking will be optional for staff and students when they return from March Break on March 21.