'It was worth a try': WRDSB letter asking Ontario to extend mask mandate is dismissed

The province is sticking with its plan to lift mask mandates in schools on Monday, despite school boards, including  Waterloo Region District School Board, asking for the mandate to stay in place a little while longer.

The region's public board wrote a letter to Ontario's chief medical officer of health, Dr. Keiran Moore, on March 14, following a board meeting, requesting that the mask mandate stay in place until April 4. 

Masking will become optional for students and staff starting Monday when the province lifts its mandate.

The board received a response Thursday, remaining consistent with what Dr. Moore had announced last week, said Scott Piatkowski, chair of the Waterloo region board.

"It doesn't explicitly say 'we're denying your request,' but they basically reiterated the position they announced on March 9th and in doing so, did say no to us," he said, adding he was not entirely surprised.

"The response is not what we were hoping for ... But I think it was worth a try."

Ventilation, PPE to continue, says Moore 

In his letter, Moore said health measures such as ventilation, providing students and staff with rapid antigen tests and Personal Protective Equipment such as masks, as well as the province's screening tool, will continue.

"Given the robust prevention and response tools ... along with continued stabilization or improvement in key public health and health system indicators, we are returning to more regular and routine ways of providing in-person learning while ensuring that individuals and families can make informed choices based on their own assessment of risk," the letter read.

"There remain circumstances where mask wearing is recommended or required, and it will be very important to foster an environment that is kind, considerate and inclusive of those who choose to continue to wear a mask." 

Piatkowski said the board is still strongly encouraging students and staff to wear a mask while in class, adding measures such as enhanced cleaning and ventilation at schools will continue.

"We will do our best with the situation that we have, to keep our students and staff safe as possible."