Province switches gears, says masks will be required in some school settings

Prince Edward Island's Public Schools Branch (PSB) and La Commission scolaire de langue franaise (CSLF) say they are taking the advice ofthe Chief Public Health Office, and will require masks for students and staff on buses and in some parts of schools this fall, said a written news release Friday.

Dr. Heather Morrison releasedback-to-school guidance from the CPHO on Monday. It was criticized bysomewho saidthe province's guidelines werevague and too lax.

A key point of contentionwas the plan's mask recommendations. P.E.I.'sHome and School Federationand at leastone epidemiologistsaidthe government should have had mask requirements in most scenarios as opposed to just suggesting their use.

The PSB and CSLF's masking policies released Friday are:

• Masksrequired for staff, students and visitors in all grades when moving through aschool building. Masks may be removed when seated in classrooms.
• Masksrequired for staff in classrooms in Grades K-6 when physical distancing is not possible.
• Masks required for staff and students in all grades on school buses.

The release said the CPHO willevaluatethemeasures on an ongoing basis.

"Plans for the 2021-2022 school year will need to be flexible and recognize that COVID-19 may impact different schools, communities and regions at various times and levels," the release said.

"Schools will communicate regularly with parents and guardians on the operational plan for their schools based on the COVID-19 risk level."

Vaccinationwon't be mandatory

Vaccination remains the most effective way to reduce the risks of COVID-19, the release noted, and officialsstrongly recommend vaccinationfor all eligible staff, students and visitors to schools.

However, there is still no vaccine approved for children under 12. Some say those could be coming as early as the fall.Pfizer clinical trials are underway, the first of which is expected to be complete by October. Subsequenttrials for youth under five aren't expected to be complete until 2022.

Some provinces includingOntario, Alberta and Manitoba have made the move to vaccinate 11-year-olds who will turn 12 by the end of the year.

"The PSB and CSLF are confident in a high vaccination rate among school staff and will not make vaccination mandatory at this time," the releasesaid.

"We are optimistic that the flexible back-to-school plans will allow for the highest quality and safe education experience for all."

Danya O'Malleyis a concerned parent of 15-year-old twins entering high school as well as a son entering Grade 2. She had some concerns about the province's initial plan to recommend but not mandate mask-wearing.

"I'm definitely very supportive of the change in the plans," O'Malley said. "Just because something is recommended doesn't mean that people will follow it. So it's safer to put it out as a requirement."