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By David Opinko

Fourteen Alberta schools granted mask exemptions, province won’t say which ones

Feb 1, 2022 | 1:02 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – A few schools in the province will no longer be requiring their staff and students to wear face masks.

A spokesperson with Alberta Health confirmed to LNN that Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw has granted face mask exemptions to 14 schools.

It is not clear, however, which ones those are.

The province told us that they cannot identify the specific schools “due to privacy concerns.”

We asked officials if they could tell us which communities these schools are located in but to no avail.

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In order to be eligible for an exemption, schools need to develop and implement an alternative COVID-19 safety plan and post the details online. The school would also have to contact Alberta Health for approval.

These plans must still meet the current requirements for physical distancing, ensuring that staff, students, and visitors maintain a minimum of two metres of distance from one another while indoors.

Currently, it is mandatory for all students in Grades 4 and up, including staff and teachers, to remain masked. Masking is recommended for those in K-3 classes.

They are also required on school buses.

You can learn about COVID-19 rules in Alberta schools here.