Hamilton public school board shortens masking mandate to April 1

Hamilton's public school board will continue to enforce masking among students from Grade 4 to Grade 8 until April 1 — 14 days earlier than planned, but 11 days after Ontario will have lifted its mask mandate.

The mandate could also end earlier if Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) receives a written directive or policy from Ontario's Ministry of Education that nullifies their mandate.

HWDSB trustees voted on the move Tuesday night during a special board meeting.

Chair Dawn Danko said staff will support anyone who claims they can't wear a mask due to medical exemptions and schools will also strongly recommend masking beyond April 1.

Trustees Maria Felix Miller and Paul Tut were opposed to the motion.

Miller said during the meeting that the new option was "watered down." She wrote on Twitter that she felt enforcing masking until April 15 "maximized safety for our families and staff."

"I am hopeful that masking until April 1 can help manage any March Break surges," she wrote. "However, I think 2.5 years of a pandemic have shown us that hopes and fatigue don't wash away cases."

On March 15, Danko wrote a letter to the city's medical officer of health, Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, to issue an order under Section 22 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act to allow mandatory masking until April 15. CBC Hamilton contacted public health for comment.

Danko also wrote a letter to Education Minister Stephen Lecce raising concerns about the plan to lift many pandemic safeguards right after March Break.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford fired back at school boards like HWDSB, telling them to stick to the province's decision because "they aren't medical experts."

"Follow the direction of the chief medical officer, plain and simple," he said during a news conference Friday.

Public health reviewing letter from HWDSB

The province's move to end masking mandates in late March drew criticism and praise from health officials in the Hamilton area.

Danko told CBC Hamilton she hasn't heard back from Lecce or Richardson.

James Berry, a spokesperson for Hamilton public health, said it respects the school board's motion and trusts HWDSB will work with the province.

Berry also said public health was reviewing Danko's letter.

"This continues to be a challenging time as we move forward as a community and understand how we take the next steps in living with COVID-19. Some are happy to see this transition that has been put in place by the province, while others feel it is too soon," Berry said.

"As we have since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and during this time of transition, Hamilton Public Health Services will continue to collaborate with the province and our local school board partners, as we work together with school communities to help balance the risks of COVID-19 and the risks to the mental, emotional and physical health of children and their learning."

Catholic board following province's lead

Pat Daly, chair of Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board (HWCDSB), said the board is following the province's lead.

"Our schools will remain mask friendly and we will encourage and fully support whether students, staff, visitors, anyone entering our schools or admin buildings that we fully support their choice to wear a mask beyond March 21," he said in an interview Wednesday morning.

"Our board does not enact policies which we are unable to enforce so unless Dr. Richardson issues an order, which I'm not expecting, or the provincial government chief medical officer of health communicates a different decision, we will work to ensure our schools are as safe as possible."

Redeemer University is following the province's lead, saying there will be no more mandatory masking after March 21.

Mohawk College is maintaining its mask mandate through this semester, which ends on April 29.

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