
Going forward, masks will be made mandatory in high school and elementary classrooms in 9 regions across Quebec, including Monteregie and Montreal, Education Minister Jean-Francois Roberge stated Tuesday.
Other regions that will be expected to enforce a mask mandate at all time in class include Center-du-Quebec, Laval and Outaouais. This news brought relief to many parents in the province.
The release came following a meeting that was held on Monday between the education minister and Quebec director of public health, Dr. Horacio Arruda.
Heidi Yetman, president of the Provincial Association of Teachers’ (QPAT) said they are pleased with the directive considering that 2020 was a difficult year for their members.
All other measures passed last June, including ethe removal of classroom bubbles, will continue to be in force, minister Roberge stated. He added that after-school events and field trips will be brought back as well.
No student will be required to produce an immunization passport to take part in schooling activities. But, inter-school activities that may include prolonged contact will necessitate the use of vaccine passports.
Roberge added that they are working with public health to deploy rapid testing in secondary and primary schools in areas that are currently epidemiologically concerning. He added that a number of schools are carrying out renovations on their ventilation systems that were problematic at the height of the pandemic.