As students returned to class, some will be required to wear masks.
Schools have asked that they have two clean face masks with them everyday.
Older students in New Brunswick may be removed from schools if they are not wearing one, according to the deputy education minister.
George Daley says public health guidelines must be followed but he admits it’s a different situation for younger students, because they are not mandatory at that level,”We will continue to have those conversations with students, understanding that the children have a different capacity level to understand the importance of it. It is a little more challenging.”
As for older students who refuse to wear masks, Daley says they would talk to the student first and then their parents before removal from school, “The second stage will be conversations with the parents. If it gets to an issue of complete refusal, we will have to take steps at that point that may involve removal from school, if that is the situation.”
He says the rule of masks is in place for a reason, and it is not up for debate, “I do not see that is any different than how we have dealt with it in the public. If you are looking to go into a store, that is required to have a mask, you are required to have a mask to go into that store.”
