Most students in Alta. must wear masks

EDMONTON — The Alberta government says it will follow the lead of Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia and make wearing masks mandatory for most students and staff when schools reopen in September.

Education Minister Adriana LaGrange announced Tuesday that students between Grades 4 to 12 and all staff will have to wear masks in common areas, hallways and on buses.

“Emerging evidence has made it clear that masks can play an important role in limiting the spread of COVID-19 in our schools,” she said at a news conference in Edmonton.

Children will not have to wear masks when sitting in class at a safe distance from others. Masks will be optional for younger students.

“This is because mask use for younger children is a challenge due to difficulties with proper fit and compliance,” LaGrange said. More than 1.6 million reusable masks will be provided to 740,000 students and 90,000 staff.