Hamilton’s McMaster University to keep mask requirement in place for rest of term

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Published March 10, 2022 at 12:58 pm

Hamilton’s McMaster University said that masking requirements will remain in place on its campuses until the end of the winter semester.

In a message posted to the school’s website on Wednesday (March 9), the same the Province of Ontario announced an end to indoor masking in most settings on March 21, McMaster said the requirement will remain in place.

“Health and safety remain key to our successful return to campus,” the message said.

“This creates needed stability, which is essential for students as they finish their classes and head toward exams, and for faculty and staff who are continuing their transition back to campus.

“For continuity, McMaster will maintain its longstanding mask requirement within all indoor sites until at least the end of the winter semester, including exams.”

While the university said it will review the latest directives from the province, for now, along with masking, the school’s vaccination mandate will also remain in place and active screening will continue.

On Wednesday, the province’s Chief Medical officer of Health announced that as of March 21, mask mandates will end in most places including schools and child-care settings but they will still be required in long-term care and retirement homes, health-care settings, jails, shelters, congregate living settings and on public transit.

While Moore admits these changes will lead to more infections of COVID-19 and likely increase hospitalization, he said he believes Ontario’s high vaccination rate will keep the virus in check.

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