Four Winnipeg school divisions mandate masks, others request change

Four school divisions in Winnipeg are making masks mandatory for the upcoming school year.

Louis Riel, River East Transcona, St. James-Assiniboia and Seven Oaks all say all staff, students, and visitors at their schools and on buses will have to mask up.

In a statement on the LRSD website, superintendent Christian Michalik says “This mask mandate fulfills our statutory obligation to create a safe environment for staff and students. Our community education campaign will continue and focus on how to safely navigate the current stage of the pandemic, including in-school vaccination clinics.”

READ MORE:  Manitoba teachers call on government for back-to-school vaccine mandate for staff

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Michalik also said the division is exploring the idea of voluntary disclosure of vaccination status of staff and they also continue to explore a potential vaccine mandate for eligible students and staff.

Meanwhile, Seven Oaks superintendent Brian O’Leary said in a letter posted on the division’s Facebook page that not only is the mask mandate in place, but K-8 students will continue to be confined to single class cohorts in order to limit exposure and lunch and activity breaks will continue to be staggered to minimize crowding when students eat.

Pembina Trails and Winnipeg School Division say they have asked Manitoba Education Minister Cliff Cullen to mandate masks in school, with a Pembina Trails also asking the minister to mandate having all staff fully vaccinated.

A spokesperson for Winnipeg School Division says it’s Board of Trustees has asked for a response by Aug. 20.

“The Board is prepared to take further action to ensure the safety of students but the preference is that the province take the lead on this important issue,” the spokesperson added.

Global News asked Cullen’s officer if he had received the letters from the divisions, and if he was considering their requests.

He neglected to answer, but said in a statement the Ministry and Public Health are monitoring the situation and “will make adjustments accordingly.”