With in-school mask mandates being lifted when kids return to class after March break, Premier Doug Ford had a message to school boards looking to defy the new directive.
During a stop in Barrie on Friday for an announcement at Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH), Ford was asked about the mask mandate being lifted on March 21 and how some school boards were upset about the move.
On Thursday, the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board voted to continue masking until April 15, as a precautionary measure when kids come back after the break and socializing during their week off.
Ford was asked what he would say to school boards that defy the order to lift mandatory masking.
“Let me be clear to the school boards — they aren’t medical experts. The chief medical officer is the expert. He has done his due diligence, he has consulted with other medical officers, be it Dr. de Villa (Toronto) or Dr. Etches in Ottawa, he doesn't make these decisions lightly,” the premier said.
“But our expectations of the school boards, with the exception of parents who want their kids to put masks on, follow the direction of the chief medical officer — plain and simple. That's what we expect and hopefully they’ll do that," Ford added.
Ontario’s chief medical officer of health, Dr. Kieran Moore, announced Wednesday that school mask mandates would end on March 21. He also stated that all masking measures will drop on April 27.
While masking will no longer be mandated, public health officials are still encouraging it.
READ MORE: 'Keep your mask in your pocket': End of mandate garners mixed reaction in York Region
As of yesterday, York Region school boards had not indicated how they will respond to the changes, which also indicates the end of cohorting and on-site screening. York Region District School Board said it would support all students as the changes come into place.
"Please also be assured that we will continue to consult with public health to ensure we are taking all appropriate measures to protect the health and safety of our students, staff members and families," the board said.
York Catholic District School Board said it would share information soon about the announcement with its community.
Ford was also asked about those who are worried about masks being lifted, especially people who are immunocompromised and elderly.
“I’d say keep your mask on. That's going to be an option, that's the direction we received from Dr. Moore and as you can see right across the country," he said. "B.C. announced they're dropping it today. They just announced it and bang, dropped it.
“We’re one of the last jurisdictions in North America to be doing this. I’ve always been cautious. I’ve been accused of being the most cautious and I have no problem being the most cautious," Ford added.
