Both the English-Catholic and public school board in Windsor-Essex will no longer require students, staff and visitors in schools to wear masks.
On Thursday, both the Greater Essex County District School Board (GECDSB) and the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board (WECDSB), announced updated health and safety measures in alignment with the provincial government's decision to lift mask mandates effective March 21.
"While we are certainly pleased to see that scientific evidence on a provincial level has allowed for the easing of some of these restrictions, we will proceed cautiously and remain committed to following the guidance of our local Medical Officer of Health," read a statement from the WECDSB.
The two school boards confirmed that as of March 21, masks will no longer be required to be worn by anyone who attends or visits schools or school board offices. Personal protective equipment will still be available to those who request it.
Cohorting and physical distancing will also no longer be enforced. Students will be able to interact together across cohorts both indoors and outdoors without restrictions.
Additionally, daily COVID-19 screening will no longer be necessary, though both the WECDSB and the GECDSB encourage staff and students to continue to self-screen each day before coming to school.
"As we move toward more normal, traditional conditions at school, we continue to encourage everyone to remain vigilant – to follow health and safety recommendations about personal self-screening, washing hands, respiratory etiquette and most importantly completing the COVID-19 vaccination regimen," the GECDSB said in a release.
Students in Windsor-Essex start their week-long March Break Friday afternoon and will return to a "new-normal" just over two years after the COVID-19 pandemic was declared by the World Health Organization.
While the end of mask mandates is a relief for many, others, including the Windsor Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) have expressed concerns over the removal of most mandates. WECHU health officials are advising the public to use common sense in an effort to prevent falling ill while on holidays next week.