UVic senate moves to reinstate COVID-19 mask mandate on campus
Students and staff at the University of Victoria may be required to once again wear face masks on campus amid the COVID-19 pandemic after the university senate voted on the issue Thursday.
The senate voted 23-19 to approve a motion to ask the university president and board of governors to reinstate the mandate immediately and keep it in place through the April exam period.
The school's mask mandate was dropped on March 11 as COVID-19 restrictions eased across the province.
UVic spokesperson Denise Helm says there is no date set yet for the board and president to consider the recommendation.
"It is important to note that UVic has always followed all the public health orders and implemented all of the health and safety measures required by the provincial health officer," Helm said in a statement Friday.
"We continue to strongly encourage people wear masks indoors on campus, which is communicated widely, including at building entrances and on digital signage," she said.
"We also encourage people to continue to follow public health guidance, including doing daily health checks and staying home if sick," Helm added.
The senate motion says that dropping the mask mandate in mid-March fundamentally altered the school environment overnight for immunocompromised students and staff, "leaving them no time to seek accommodations or make alternative educational plans."
The motion says the change also increases the likelihood of student and staff absences leading up to and during the upcoming exam period.
For immunocompromised students and staff, "every day without those protections makes a difference to their safety," the senate wrote. "Waiting until the next regularly scheduled senate meeting on April 1 to discuss this motion contributes to their risk."
On Thursday, 271 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in B.C., including 60 new cases in the Island Health region.
Thirty-six patients are currently in hospital with COVID-19 on Vancouver Island, including three patients in intensive care.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6975012.1721775341!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Canadian Olympic Committee offers 'heartfelt apology' after New Zealand accuses Canada Soccer of spying
The Canadian Olympic Committee offered a 'heartfelt' apology to New Zealand Football Tuesday after the New Zealand women's club accused the Canadian women's team of spying on them during a training session.
Jasper evacuees forced into B.C. to flee fires told to make U-turn to Alberta for aid
Thousands of wildfire evacuees forced from Jasper National Park into British Columbia along smoke-choked mountain roads Monday night were directed Tuesday to make a wide U-turn and head home if they needed a place to stay.
Pennsylvania state police commissioner reveals stunning details about Trump shooting
A local law enforcement commissioner revealed during a House Homeland Security hearing on Tuesday stunning new details about the security failures that led to the near assassination of Donald Trump, raising more questions for the embattled U.S. Secret Service.
Sunday was the hottest day ever recorded on Earth, scientists say
Sunday was the hottest day ever recorded, breaking global temperatures dating back to 1940, according to preliminary data from Europe's Copernicus Climate Change Service.
Polar bear at Calgary Zoo died by drowning following 'crushing' injury
The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo has revealed the cause of death for polar bear Baffin last week.
Clip resurfaces of Vance criticizing Harris for being 'childless,' testing Trump's new running mate
Comments Donald Trump’s running mate JD Vance made in 2021 questioning U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris’ leadership because she did not have biological children have resurfaced, testing the young conservative senator in his early days campaigning as part of the Republicans' presidential ticket.
'Bigger than just the record': Football fan eyes world record for quickest visit to all CFL stadiums
A CFL super fan is two-thirds of the way into his record-breaking attempt to visit all nine stadiums in the Canadian Football League in 15 days.
Laws that could get Canadians in trouble in tourism hotspots
There are some laws in popular tourist destinations around the world that could land Canadian travellers in mild-to-serious trouble if they're not careful. Don't let these local laws land you in hot water during your next vacation abroad.
'Stars are aligning' for Bank of Canada rate cut: economists
The Bank of Canada is expected to deliver a dose of interest rate relief Wednesday when economists and market watchers predict the central bank will cut its overnight lending rate.