The province has updated its mask policy for schools across BC.

When school resumes on September 10th, masks will be required for staff, middle and secondary students in high traffic areas.

Those would include in common areas such like hallways, on buses, or anytime outside of their learning group when physical distancing is not possible.

Exceptions will be made for students who cannot wear masks for medical reasons.

In order to support staff and students to meet this expectation, funding is being made available to purchase up to 1.5 million masks. The province says that will be enough for every public-school staff member and student to have at least two masks.

Health officials have been reluctant to make any kind of mandate when it comes to masks. However, it is something that has been brought forward by concerned parents and more than 5,000 people have signed a petition that was started by a BC teenager to make face coverings mandatory for all in schools.

Other health and safety guidelines include:

• increased cleaning of high-contact surfaces like doorknobs, keyboards, desks and chairs;
• increased hand hygiene with all students, staff and visitors being required to clean their hands before boarding school buses and entering school buildings, before and after eating, using the washroom and using playground equipment; and
• school districts may also install transparent barriers for people who have more contact with others, such as front-desk staff, bus drivers or food services staff, where appropriate.

Canadian Shield, a manufacturer of personal protective equipment products in Ontario, Canada, recently announced it is donating an additional 54,500 face shields for K-12 schools in B.C., adding to the inventory of personal protective equipment that will be available for students and staff.