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
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.