The mask will not be compulsory for Quebec students during the next school year, but only “if the situation remains the same”. A sign that the risk of an eighth wave is real, however, Quebec wants to acquire 30 million masks for the fall. And in the university network, we are already preparing to have to adapt.
Posted at 5:00 a.m.
“If the situation remains the same, no change is planned for the start of the school year. As Public Health repeated in a press briefing, the measures in force will be the same as last June, ”said Audrey Noiseux, press attaché to the office of the Minister of Education, Jean-François Roberge.
She recalls that wearing a mask, which has no longer been formally compulsory since May 14 in the school network, remains “at the discretion of each person”.
However, in a call for tenders published on the government’s electronic tendering system, we learn that the government “wishes to acquire 30 million masks [médicaux] level 3 adults” at the request of the Quebec Ministry of Education, so that all school service centers and private establishments “can comply with the health measures that will be set out by Public Health […] during the 2022-2023 school period.
It seems that the authorities also want to release a reserve for the future, because “two options for additional acquisition, for recurring needs if necessary, of 30 million masks are provided for in the contract under the same terms and conditions”. “A 30-day notice will be sent to the supplier to exercise each of the options”, also advance the authorities.
At the Ministry of Education, spokesperson Esther Chouinard explains that this call for tenders was mainly done as a “preventive measure”.
With 30 million masks for adults, the Ministry of Education expects to be able to distribute masks for a month and a half, if the mask is mandatory at all times. In the absence of an obligation, the masks will be available for those who wish to continue wearing them.
Esther Chouinard, spokesperson for the Ministry of Education
“We want to make sure we have enough masks in [réserve] to be ready if the health situation changes”, also commented Mme Noiseux, in Minister Roberge’s office.
Universities prepare
In the Quebec university network, we will carefully monitor the rules in force – or the modification of these – in anticipation of the start of the school year. “In the event of a change in government directive, we will adapt accordingly,” says HEC Montréal spokesperson Émilie Novales.
For now, “the mask [médical] is no longer mandatory on our campus, but in order to limit the spread of COVID-19, certain health measures are still recommended, including physical distancing, physical barriers and wearing a mask [médical] “, continues M.me Novales. “These instructions are now a personal choice,” she points out, recalling that the establishment still continues to provide masks, hydroalcoholic gel and rapid tests to its students.
McGill University spokeswoman Shirley Cardenas also says “we have to be careful.” “Masks will continue to be available on our campuses, and anyone who wishes to wear them is encouraged to do so, especially indoors. If Quebec decided to modify its directives on masks, the University could review the instructions on our side as well, ”she recalls.
At the University of Montreal, the COVID-19 management committee met on Tuesday “to take stock of the start of the new school year” and should publish recommendations soon. “For the moment, there are no plans to impose the wearing of a mask when returning to class in the fall. However, the University will remain attentive to the evolution of the situation and will continue to adjust as needed,” says press officer Julie Gazaille.
How is the eighth wave shaping up?
This announcement by the Quebec government comes barely 24 hours after that of the Ontario Minister of Education, Stephen Lecce, who confirmed that students will not have to wear the mask, saying he wants them to “take full advantage of the clubs, sports and extracurricular activities, which are essential for their physical and mental health”.
PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
The Dr Luc Boileau, national director of public health
Speaking of “encouraging signals” last Thursday, the national director of public health, the Dr Luc Boileau, however, had warned that the gradual descent of the seventh wave still calls for a lot of caution. Because according to him, the return to school will “most likely” revive infections, as has often been the case since the start of the pandemic.
Quebec believes that it will be able to model within a week “what should happen during the fall”, but warns from the outset that there will “certainly be an increase in cases again”.
A new vaccination campaign will be launched on August 15, first with people who live in CHSLDs, private seniors’ residences (RPA) or other living environments, who will be able to receive a new booster dose. François Legault also received his fourth dose last Friday.