Some Canadian universities are continuing to impose and enforce mandatory masking a year after provinces began lifting their general mask mandates.
The post-secondary institutions that are maintaining mandates are mostly in Atlantic Canada — a region that imposed Covid-Zero policies during the pandemic.
Some of the universities are enforcing a full indoor mask mandate, while others are mandating masks in certain study spaces in order to provide a “safe space” for students.
The University of Manitoba in Winnipeg continues to require medical masks in all indoor areas of its campus. In addition, the institution is still mandating social distancing in food-designated areas, while also recommending that people eat outside to avoid viral transmission.
The university also asks students to complete a COVID-19 checklist before coming to its campus.
A University of Manitoba spokesperson directed True North to a statement issued by the school’s president in Dec. 2022, which notes that “though we know a mask mandate can’t continue indefinitely, we also know that COVID and other respiratory infection cases are high and putting significant strain on our health care system.”
Mount Allison University in New Brunswick is also maintaining a strict indoor mask mandate which covers hallways, stairwells, and instructional spaces. The university also asks students to voluntarily share their vaccine status through an online portal.
“With COVID-19, influenza, RSV, and other viruses heavily impacting our community now and projected throughout the winter months, it’s even more important that existing COVID-19 health and safety measures remain in place through the Winter 2023 Term,” reads a statement on Mount Allison’s website.
Masks continue to be required in instructional spaces in several other universities; including Dalhousie University, Saint Mary’s University, the University of Prince Edward Island, the University of New Brunswick, Acaia University, Saint Francis Xavier University and King’s College at Western.
Meanwhile, other Canadian universities that have lifted their mask mandates are offering study spaces where masks are required.
The University of Ottawa has a “mask-required study zone” in its library which they say provides students with a comfortable space. UOttawa also continues to mandate masks at its Alta Vista Campus, due to its close proximity to hospitals.
McMaster University in Hamilton also offers “Mask Required Study Spaces”.
True North asked both universities if these initiatives are permanent, but neither provided an answer in time for publication.
The continuation of mask mandates in universities has been criticized by some health experts.
Haldimand-Norfolk county acting medical officer Dr. Matt Strauss said university mask mandates are not based on science and accused administrators who are maintaining them of “behaving like religious fanatics”.
“Now is the time (undergraduate students) are supposed to be making life connections that will last forever. They’re supposed to meet their best friends, they’re supposed to meet their romantic partners, but can’t do that when you’re wearing a diaper on your face.” said Strauss.
A December 2022 Angus Reid poll saw only 33% of young adults say they favoured mask mandates. However, mandates continue to be supported by some progressive university professors.
As previously reported by True North, University of British Columbia medicine professor Dr. Amy Tan said on Twitter that not wearing masks is an act of racism, ableism and classism.
Meanwhile, professors at the University of Western Ontario and the University of Waterloo shared their frustrations online after their respective institutions lifted their mask mandates.
