Superior North Catholic District School Board says schools are 'mask-friendly' environments

TERRACE BAY — The Superior North Catholic District School Board is following the lead of the province's chief medical officer of health and recommending that masks be worn.

On Monday, Dr. Kieran Moore gave a media briefing where he recommended that masks be worn in all indoor public settings, including schools and daycares, as hospitals across the province deal with rising cases of influenza, respiratory viruses, and COVID-19.

While Moore said that "triple threat" of viruses is putting what he described as "extraordinary pressures" on the province's health care system, he is not mandating that masks be worn.

The school board issued a Facebook post addresses to parents and guardians later Monday.

“At Superior North Catholic District School Board, masking is not mandatory; however, we are a mask-friendly environment. We will actively promote respectful, welcoming and inclusive environments for individuals who choose to wear or not wear a mask within our school community.”

The school board urged families to continue self-screening children before attending school, and to keep children home if they're feeling sick or have illness symptoms.