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
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.