Nunavut students will still need to mask up after COVID-19 restrictions end

As Nunavut prepares to emerge from its public health emergency, students and staff will still need to wear masks in schools and on school buses.

Education Minister Pamela Gross said Thursday masks will continue to be provided to schools.

Gross made the announcement during a COVID-19 news conference Thursday morning. Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Michael Patterson, Health Minister John Main and Human Resources Minister Margaret Nakashuk also attended.

The territory announced Wednesday that it would be bringing its health emergency to an end on April 11, along with remaining public health restrictions.

That means masks will no longer be required in public, though they will still be required in health facilities and government offices.

Gross said keeping masks in schools falls in line with that requirement and said her department would re-evaluate masks as needed.

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Gross said her department also expects to see ventilation improvements this year to schools across the territory.

That will include upgrades to ventilation systems and cleaning of filters, thanks to an investment from the federal government, she said.

"We look forward to that work happening and for our schools to be as safe as possible," she said.

Patterson said the territory is moving toward responding to COVID-19 like any other communicable disease.

"I understand that some will be worried about these changes but we are confident that we are in a place where we can start living normally again," he said.

He noted the virus is not gone and asked Nunavummiut to manage their own risk by staying home if they are sick, wearing masks if they have to have contact with people and getting vaccinated.

He also noted businesses and organizations will still have the right to require masks in their buildings and can limit their capacity if they want to.