Richmond teachers want mask mandate for younger Grades following Surrey move

RICHMOND (NEWS 1130) – Teachers in Richmond are pressing for a mask mandate for younger students in all district schools after Surrey students Grade 4 and up were told face coverings would be mandatory.

Richmond Teachers Association President Liz Baverstock says while Richmond schools have been encouraging mask wearing wherever possible, teachers are concerned about the spread of COVID-19 in schools as students and staff return from Spring Break.

“When we have a break it’s a good thing, but it also causes concern because we change routines and then teachers are anxious today about what tomorrow and the next two weeks will bring as we see what the impacts of a two week break will bring,” Baverstock said.

Baverstock says she’s sent a letter to Education Minister Rob Fleming and Vancouver Coastal Health, asking for an immediate mandate to come into effect Monday morning.

“A mandate… it’s more respected by everyone,” she said. “It’s more respected by kids, parents, and families when they’re sending the kids to school if they know it’s a mandate. Many people like to know what the rules are and they often do follow them when there are rules.”

RELATED:

• Fraser Health mandates masks for students from grades 4 to 12 in Surrey
• B.C. Education Minister not budging on mandatory masks in elementary school

 

No Richmond school has had to temporarily close due to the coronavirus since September, no classes have had to isolate, and there has been no known transmission within schools, according to Baverstock who attributes this to teachers and staff encouraging mask wearing.

“Throughout the pandemic, teachers have been anxious about going to work. They’ve been doing it and doing absolutely everything they can to make sure that they implement the preventative measures to the fullest extent possible,” she said. “I think the worry is you never know where COVID is because of the asymptomatic nature, especially with kids. Teachers are worried about their own health, the health of their families, the kids in their class and their families as well.”

On Saturday, Fraser Health mandated mask wearing for all Surrey students Grade 4 and above and all staff Kindergarten to Grade 12.

Chief medical health officer, Dr. Elizabeth Brodkin said mandate was brought in because of the rate of COVID-19 transmission in Fraser Health and Surrey schools.

Education Minister Jennifer Whiteside continues to insist masking is a personal choice, to be made by families, and will she is hesitant to order a mask mandate for younger students because transmission in schools does remain low.

There is a mask requirement for middle and secondary school students in indoor areas in BC. However, they can be taken off when a student is sitting or standing at their seat or workstation in a classroom, or when they are eating and drinking.