Dr. Bonnie Henry has repealed several public health orders relating to COVID-19, including as of 12:01am Friday, March 11, eliminating the mandate that masks must be worn in indoor public settings.
As of tomorrow Friday March 11 wearing a mask will become a personal choice in all indoor public spaces on all UFV campuses.
It is vital to remember and to respect that many people will have their own reasons for choosing to continue wearing a mask and this personal choice will be supported by the University.
Throughout the pandemic, UFV has followed the science-based guidelines set forth by Dr. Henry, Fraser Health, and the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training. Transmission rates at UFV and other universities remain low. Please continue to help limit the spread of communicable diseases by practicing good hand hygiene and avoiding coming to work when you are sick.
Thank you for your diligence, flexibility, and ability to endure. You have been an integral part of helping UFV to continue to deliver on our mission of transforming lives – even during a pandemic. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do for our students and our community.
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Are professors allowed to require masks in their classes?
Hi and thanks for your question,
No. A professor can not require people to wear masks in classrooms – they can request it, but as the public health officer has now eliminated the order that made masks mandatory in BC, wearing a mask is now a personal choice. The new order is detailed on the PHO site here.