Nova Scotia Extends School Mask Mandate Until Mid-May

Students wear face masks as they attend class on the first day of school in Montreal on Aug. 31, 2021. (The Canadian Press/Graham Hughes)

Nova Scotia is keeping its mask mandate in public schools in place until at least the May long weekend. 

The province announced on April 13 that masking requirements in public schools will stay, which means staff, volunteers, and visitors must continue to wear a mask during school hours and on school buses.

Provincial Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development Becky Druhan said in a statement that the government has worked with public health throughout the pandemic to implement measures that help keep students in school. 

Druhan also said the decision to require masks in schools “supports operational considerations and will be reassessed closer to May 20.” 

“Students, staff and visitors are also asked to continue to follow core public health measures,” said the government release.

This includes “getting vaccinated if eligible, staying home if feeling unwell, following the COVID-19 daily checklist, and washing and sanitizing hands frequently.”

On March 21, Nova Scotia lifted all its pandemic restrictions except for the wearing of masks and limitations on gathering in public schools, long-term care facilities, and hospitals. 

Meanwhile, Quebec has extended its provincial mask mandates from the original April 15 expiration date to at least April 30, as a result of the rapid spread of Omicron subvariant BA.2.

Prince Edward Island, which was set to lift mandatory masking on April 7, has also extended the policy until April 28.