Masks will be mandatory on school buses for all Hamilton students
- Michael Kras
- 22 Aug 2020
As students in the public school system get ready to return to classes come September, Hamilton’s school boards are introducing additional measures to aid in the health and safety of students in the COVID-19 era.
One such measure is that masks and face coverings will be mandatory for all students from junior kindergarten up to grade 12 who need to ride the school bus, according to announcements from both of Hamilton’s school boards on Friday.
The safety measure is a response to the fact that school buses may still need to operate at near full capacity in order to accommodate proper passenger loads.
The Hamilton-Wentworth Student Transportation System Governance Committee has approved a requirement that all students (JK to Grade 12) riding the school bus in September will be required to wear a mask. Visit https://t.co/LGeBhYvlMd to learn more. pic.twitter.com/gIZ2XJRyNL
— HWDSB (@HWDSB) August 21, 2020
“The requirement supports our joint efforts to do all we can to ensure the health and safety and well-being of our students, staff and bus drivers as we prepare for the reopening of our schools,” said Patrick Daly, Chairperson of the HWCDSB.
Other measures newly introduced on school buses going forward are the availability of hand sanitizer for riders, masks and face shields for bus drivers, regular disinfecting of high-contact surfaces, and a daily deep cleaning of each vehicle.
In the coming days, Hamilton’s school boards will be connecting with parents and guardians about whether or not their students intend to opt out of this transportation, in an effort to plan accordingly for expected capacities and seating plans.
The forthcoming return to school has been a particularly contentious issue, with many parents and students criticizing the provincial government for the lack of a clear, safe plan for the reopening of schools amid the COVID-19 pandemic, with worries about class sizes, enforcement of safety guidelines, and dangerous overcrowding.
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