Masks not required for upcoming fall semester: TVDSB
On Monday, the Ministry of Education announced that masks will not be required when Ontario students go back to school in the fall, and on Tuesday, the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) echoed that sentiment.
In a statement to CTV News London on Tuesday, a representative with the TVDSB says the school board is aligning itself with the direction of the Ministry of Health and the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, and is therefore not mandating masking for students in the fall semester.
While masks will no longer be required for students, staff and visitors in schools, school board offices or on student transportation, the TVDSB says the masking of students and staff in its schools is still “strongly encouraged.”
Instead, the Ministry of Education said on Monday that mask usage will be voluntary and masks will be provided to students upon request.
Rapid tests will also remain available to school boards.
In its statement, the TVDSB says that between 2021 and 2022, $32.5 million was invested in HVAC improvements, and that an additional $25 million has just been allocated to HVAC improvements, with their end goal being to eliminate all passive ventilation by August 2024.
“We are pleased to announce that by September 2022, 92 [per cent] of our schools will have full mechanical ventilation,” according to the statement.
In addition, the TVDSB says that portable HEPA units have been distributed to all kindergarten classrooms, classrooms with students with medical or physical needs and in all common areas in schools without mechanical ventilation or where MERV 13 installation is not possible.
“MERV-13 filters will be present at all schools where allowed by the mechanical systems by September 2022,” the statement adds.
Provincial masking mandates ended in most settings on Mar. 21.
— With files from CTV News Toronto
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
WATCH Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.
Tesla recalling nearly 4,000 Cybertrucks because accelerator pedal can get stuck
Tesla is recalling 3,878 of its 2024 Cybertrucks after it discovered that the accelerator pedal can become stuck, potentially causing the vehicle to accelerate unintentionally and increase the risk of a crash.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
A couple lost their wedding rings during the ceremony. Two strangers found a fitting solution
Every good wedding has to have one teensy, tiny crisis.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.