Colleges, universities stick with masks indefinitely

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This article was published 10/08/2021 (1677 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

DESPITE the loosening of Manitoba’s mask mandate, several post-secondary institutes will require students, staff and visitors to continue donning face coverings on campus for the foreseeable future.

Colleges and universities have issued notices to their respective communities in recent days to address the province’s pivot to recommend rather than require face coverings be worn in indoor spaces — a change in COVID-19 restrictions that came into effect over the weekend.

Red River College has made clear its community members will be required indefinitely to continue wearing medical-grade masks in all indoor spaces and facilities, ranging from classrooms to elevators, washrooms to labs, and everywhere in between.

Even if two or more individuals are meeting outside on school property and physical distancing is possible, masks are still to be worn, the Winnipeg-based school says.

“This continued approach aligns with our ongoing response to COVID-19 and allows us to closely monitor and adjust as necessary,” spokesman Conor Lloyd wrote in an update posted to Red River’s website last week.

The University of Manitoba, University of Winnipeg, Saint Boniface University, Assiniboine Community College, and Brandon University have all taken similar stances on mask use.

At Manitoba’s largest post-secondary institute, administration will continue to enforce the wearing of three-ply reusable or disposable masks to limit the spread of COVID-19 in its buildings and on its campuses.

“A three-ply mask is also required when outdoors on UM campuses or while participating in UM-sanctioned activities off-campus at any time when two metres distancing is not possible,” states a release posted on the U of M’s website.

The general consensus among post-secondary institutes is individuals can remove masks if they are working alone in a private area with a closed door.

Depending on the institution, mask use may be optional outdoors if physical distancing is possible.

maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @macintoshmaggie