The Thames Valley Board of Trustees this week voted in favour of implementing a masking requirement for indoor spaces. Following a 2-hour special meeting, trustees voted 7-5 to implement the masking requirement for all staff, students and visitors in all Thames Valley District School Board buildings. While the motion did pass and will be implemented, the TVDSB’s legal counsel noted that such a requirement is not enforceable.
The original motion came from Trustee Corrine Rahman during a special meeting held Tuesday in response to an increased number of staff absences across the TVDSB as a result of illness. Those opposing the vote included Trustees Graham Hart, Sean Hunt, Arlene Morell, Meagan Ruddock and Bruce Smith. The motion is set to remain in place “until such time as Public Health Ontario updates this guidance or the Local Public Health Units in TVDSB explicitly advise otherwise.”
However, as of Thursday, masks will remain optional even after Tuesday’s vote according to TVDSB officials.