When students return to school in September, some will be required to wear masks in high traffic areas.
The update came from B.C.'s education ministry Monday, saying, "masks will be required for staff, middle and secondary students in high traffic areas such as buses and in common areas such as hallways, or anytime outside of their learning group whenever physical distancing cannot be maintained."
Exceptions will be made for students who can't wear masks for medical reasons and physical distancing will still be required between students in different learning groups. In its update, the education ministry said efforts will be made to reduce crowding or congregating, even if masks are being worn.
"In order to support staff and students to meet this expectation, the ministry is providing additional funding to school districts that will support the purchase of up to 1.5 million masks, enough for every public-school staff member and student to have at least two masks," B.C.'s education ministry says.
When the province first released its back-to-school plan on July 29, it said non-medical masks were recommended when physical distancing wasn't possible, but said "no student is required to wear a non-medical mask if they do not tolerate it."calling for a mandatory mask rule, while thousands more have called on the B.C. government to be more flexible about allowing students to continuing learning from home.
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