City of Hamilton, local school boards deciding whether to scrap local mask mandates

The City of Hamilton and its local school boards are reviewing if they will scrap local mask mandates after the Ontario requirements are lifted later this month.

The province announced this week that its masking requirements will be removed in most indoor settings on March 21, with all remaining mask requirements and emergency orders set to expire April 27. But the city and schools can decide to keep masks if they want.

The provincial decision has received praise and criticism from health officials and other organizations in Hamilton and surrounding areas.

The Disability Justice Network of Ontario, for one, is calling for the mandates to stay in place. Experts from Brock University are also concerned.

"In my opinion, we're not at the 'personal risk assessment' time yet," said Adam MacNeil, an associate professor of immunology at the Niagara-region university. "Infectious disease experts widely agree, Ontario's move Wednesday is not grounded in science."

The city put its rules around indoor masking in place in July 2020 — rules that cover businesses, city facilities and the common areas of apartment buildings. 

Aisling Higgins, a spokesperson for the City of Hamilton, said the city will make an announcement soon about the future of its masking rules.

If the city rules are lifted, business owners won't need to post signs at their entrances to enforce masking and won't face fines related to masking.

McMaster University to keep mask mandate

McMaster University said it will keep its indoor mask requirement until at least the end of the winter term, including exams.

"Health and safety remain key to our successful return to campus. This creates needed stability, which is essential for students as they finish their classes and head toward exams, and for faculty and staff who are continuing their transition back to campus," it said in an announcement online.

"The mask requirement will be coupled with other ongoing McMaster safety measures, including our vaccination mandate, active screening and improving our ventilation systems."

That said, physical distancing will be encouraged but no longer required.

School boards deciding their next move

Hamilton's Catholic school board is removing mask mandates.

Spokesperson Marnie Jadon told CBC Hamilton families will receive a letter on Thursday afternoon.

At the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB), "the board of trustees previously approved a motion that includes mask-wearing for students in kindergarten to Grade 3," chair Dawn Danko said in a notice to families. "Trustees will review the motion, the direction from the province and share further details as soon as possible."

"We know that there are mixed reactions to this change in our community. At HWDSB, we have remained committed to taking a cautious gradual approach to removing safety protocols, along with clear communication with our community when there are changes."