Some Saskatchewan school divisions are making masks mandatory when students and staff return to class this fall in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
The province announced guidelines on Tuesday for school divisions that want to move to Level 2 of the Safe Schools Plan.
The government stopped short of making masks mandatory, instead recommending masks in high-traffic areas — including hallways and buses — for all students in Grades 4 to 12.
It also recommended staggered start and dismissal times, if possible.
Education Minister Gordon Wyant said it is up to school divisions to determine how they want to implement the guidelines.
School divisions in Regina and Saskatoon were quick to announce mandatory masking for students.
Regina Public Schools
Regina Public Schools said all Grade 4-12 students will be required to wear non-medical masks while at school if physical distancing is not possible.
It is also recommending non-medical masks for prekindergarten to Grade 3 students.
All staff and visitors to schools are required to wear a mask.
Students and staff using Regina Public Schools transportation are required to wear non-medical masks.
Regina Catholic Schools
All students from Grades 4 to 12 and all staff are required to wear a non-medical mask when two-metre physical distancing is not possible.
The division said it is suggesting, but not mandating, non-medical masks for prekindergarten to Grade 3 students.
Parents and visitors to schools are also required to wear masks.
Saskatoon Public Schools
Grade 4-12 students will be required to wear masks when it is not possible to maintain physical distancing.
Masks are recommended for prekindergarten to Grade 3 students.
All students are required to wear masks on buses.
Staff members, parents, caregivers and visitors to schools are also required to wear masks.
Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools
The school division said it will implement the “use of masks consistent with the directions outlined” Tuesday by the government.
The division said this aligns with its initial return-to-school plan encouraging the use of masks for students.
More details will be released once the division has updated its plan.
Conseil des écoles fransaskoises
Wearing a protective mask has been made compulsory by the Conseil des écoles fransaskoises (CÉF) for students in Grades 4 to 12 at school and on the bus.
All staff are also required to wear a protective mask, which will be provided by the division.
Temperature checks of students and staff will be taken before they enter schools and CÉF offices.
The school division said measures will be put into place to ensure physical distancing is maintained.
Students will be subject to podding for recess and movements within the school. The school division said procedures will be put in place to limit contacts between students who are not part of the same pod.
The division primarily serves the Fransaskois community at nine schools throughout the province.
Chinook School Division
The Chinook School Division, in southwestern Saskatchewan, said it is working through the details of the province’s guidelines and said families will received details of its update plan on Wednesday.
It also said more information will be made available on Friday.
Christ The Teacher Catholic Schools
The school division in east-central Saskatchewan has not yet released details on the use of masks by students and staff.
The division serves the communities of Yorkton, Melville and Theodore.
Creighton School Division
The school division has not announced what its plans are for masking.
Good Spirit School Division
Good Spirit School Division says it is working on updating its return-to-school plan in light of the guidance released by the government.
It said more details will be released in the coming days.
The school division is located in east-central Saskatchewan, and includes the communities of Canara, Esterhazy, Kamsack, Melville and Yorkton.
Holy Trinity Catholic School Division
The HTCSD will begin the school year in September at Level 2. Masks will be mandatory for Grades 4 to 12 students in high traffic areas such as on buses and in hallways.
Masks are strongly recommended for all students and staff at all times.
The HTCSD serves the community of Moose Jaw.
Holy Family Roman Catholic Separate School Division
The school division, which serves the Weyburn area, says it’s expecting staff and students in Grade 4 to 9 to wear face masks in high traffic areas. The mandate doesn’t apply for older students as there are no high schools within the Holy Family RCSSD.
“We’re definitely following the suggestion and recommendation of our chief medical health officer,” said Gwen Keith, director of education for Holy Family RCSSD.
The school division is located in southeast Saskatchewan and includes the communities of Weyburn, Estevan, Wilcox, Radville and Milestone.
Prince Albert Catholic School Division
During a board meeting on Monday, officials came to the decision that masks will be made mandatory for Grade 4-12 students and for those riding the school bus.
The school division is also encouraging prekindergarten to Grade 3 students to wear masks, although not mandatory.
Global News was told guidelines are still being worked out in terms of when and where students are allowed to remove masks.
There is no timeline of when those guidelines will be released.
Northwest School Division
Board members are meeting on Thursday where a decision is expected to be made on whether or not masks will be mandatory.
The school division said the decision will be posted on its social media pages.
North East School Division
The school division said it will be consulting with public health on the appropriate use of masks and then determining and providing guidelines for schools. No decision has yet been made.
Lloydminster Public School Division
Staff and students in grade 4 to 12 are required to wear masks when physical distancing is not possible. The school division made the decision on Thursday following a board meeting.
All students and staff in LPSD will receive two reusable cloth face masks when they arrive at their school on September 1st. Masks are not required for outside activities or play.
Students in pre-Kindergarten to Grade 3 will be provided with masks and encouraged to wear them while in the areas mentioned above, but not required to do so.
Lloydminster Catholic School Division
All students in grade 4 to 12 will be required to wear masks where physical distancing is not possible such as common areas and hallways.
Masks will be allowed to be removed for outside play. The school district will be providing two reusable cloth face masks for students when they arrive at their school on Sept. 2.
All visitors and parents will be required to wear a face mask when visiting schools.
Prairie Spirit School Division
On Aug. 12, the Prairie Spirit School Division said its board of education and senior leadership team have decided to move to Level 2 in the division’s planning for a safe return to school.
As a result, masks will be required for students in grades 4 to 12 where physical distancing is not possible, in hallways and on buses.
Pre-kindergarten to Grade 3 students are encouraged to wear masks, according to the division.
Prairie Spirit staff members will be expected to wear masks when physical distancing is not possible.
Prairie Valley School Division
Prairie Valley School Division board of education and administration have decided to mandate the use of non-medical masks.
The division said Aug. 12 that masks will be required for staff and students in grades 4 to 12 on buses and in high-traffic areas including areas where two-metre physical distancing cannot be maintained.
Students in pre-kindergarten to Grade 3 will be encouraged but not required to use masks in most circumstances, according to the division.
Upon their return to classes, students will receive one reusable mask provided by the division. The division added it will also have disposable masks for use.
Saskatchewan Rivers Public School Division
In a letter to families on Aug. 12, the division said masks will be required for all staff and students in grades 4 to 12 on instructional days.
Masks will not be required by staff on non-instructional days and in non-school buildings as long as physical distancing can be maintained, according to the letter. It went on to say the voluntary wearing of masks will be supported in all circumstances.
The division said it will distribute two re-usable masks to each student and staff member as the supply arrives and disposable masks will be provided in the meantime.
It plans to have the next version of its return-to-school plan published on Aug. 17.
South East Cornerstone Public School Division
This division said on Aug. 12 that it’s adjusted its plan regarding masks to align with the recommendation of the government and chief medical health officer.
Students in grades 4 to 12 will be required to wear masks on the school buses as well as in high-density areas, according to the division.
Only students in grades 9 to 12 will be asked to wear masks in all classes where physical distancing is not feasible and when they are interacting with other cohorts.
Staff will be asked to wear masks when working in a school facility, on buses or when physical distancing of two metres cannot be maintained.
Sun West School Division
As of Aug. 6, Sun West’s re-entry plan does not include mandatory masks, but said the personal protective equipment has been purchased to help support the needs at the schools.