Masks still important when N.L. repeals mandate, doctor says

While Public Health plans to drop COVID-19 restrictions in Newfoundland and Labradorin two weeks, some public institutions may still require masks, and a medical school professor says face coverings still help to contain the spread of the virus.

In separate statements to CBC News, both Eastern Health and Western Health said they don't expect masking requirements will change on March 14.

While somePublic Health measures have been loosenedMonday, the province plans to repeal allCOVID-19 restrictions by March 14. As ofthat date, there will beno restrictionsin place for any businesses or settings, and whilemask-wearing will still be recommended by the government, it will no longer be required.

Central Health and Labrador-Grenfell Health did not respond to inquiries from CBC News.

Other public institutionsinthe province may also continue to require masks within their facilities.

The Newfoundland and Labrador English School District told CBC News, "The matter of mask requirements is currently under discussion and it would be premature to comment further at this point."

Similarly, Metrobus said it has "not finalized a decision on mask requirements."

Memorial University is maintaining its mask requirement until at least the end of the winter term, which wraps up on April 23, butmasks will no longer be required in MUN's shared office spaces after March 14.

The university'schief risk officer, Greg McDougall,said a decision will be made after April 23on mask rulesfor the spring semester.

However, McDougall said, regardless of the university's decision, "individuals will always be able to wear masks as a personal choice."

Masks still important, says physician

Dr. Brenda Wilson, a public health physician and professor in community health at MUN, saysmasking will continue to be an important tool as the province enters the endemic stage.

"I'm keeping my mask," she said.

"Just because mask mandates may have been dropped by the province, thatdoesn't mean that masks are useless or that they're not necessary.We still have individuals in our community who are high risk or vulnerable, and they need our protection."

Wilson said she was surprised by Public Health's decision to drop all pandemic restrictionsbut she's optimistic that it will turn out to bethe right choice.

She said Newfoundlanders and Labradorians havehandled the pandemic well, andshe feels this is the provincial government's attempt to shift responsibilityto individuals and allowpeopleto decide for themselves what risks or protections they want in their day-to-day lives.

"I do believe that this is a community and a population that is well prepared to handle this," said Wilson. "It's about saying, 'We've got to learn to do this for ourselves,'andtrying to hand over control to individuals."

Wilson said masks,vaccines and ventilation are thethree essential factors for the eventual end of the pandemic, but improved ventilation in buildings would be "the smartest investment"to get rid of masks once and for all.

She said the provincialgovernment needs to change codes on the ventilation standard for buildingsand invest in retrofitting major public spaces, like schools, to have better ventilation.

"That's the thing that means we don't need masks."

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