Masks required at BU, expected at ACC
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 13/08/2020 (2023 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Both Assiniboine Community College and Brandon University addressed mask-wearing Wednesday in response to the current uptick in positive COVID-19 cases in the Brandon area.
While ACC is “expecting” staff, students and visitors to wear masks, BU stated the face covering is “required.”
“We will continue to reinforce the practice of wearing masks with education and communication,” ACC’s director of public affairs Danielle Adriaansen stated via email.
“If a member of the public is not wearing a mask, they’re not going to be denied entry to campus.”
Adriaansen added an entire educational campaign is centred on masks, including social media quizzes and posters. These actions are to “help normalize the idea that face masks are important to keep our college community, and the broader community, safe and healthy.”
The college mascot is even wearing a mask, she said.
“From our perspective, there’s no downside or risk in moving to a mask-expected environment across our campuses. Face masks are one of many things people can be doing to help slow the spread of COVID-19,” Adriaansen said.
At the university, what happens if someone is not wearing a mask indoors will depend on individual circumstances.
“We have an accommodations process for people who may need a medical exemption, for example,” director of marketing and communications Grant Hamilton said via email.
Staff working alone in their offices need not wear a mask. Masks can also be removed temporarily while seated and eating at the cafeteria.
“But at all other times, a mask should be worn. This includes shared working spaces, hallways, and common areas.” according to the BU news release.
The decision to mandate masks was made by the President’s Administrative Council, which is co-ordinating our operational response to the pandemic, the BU release stated.
“Appropriate masks are now widely available and affordable, and you are encouraged to wear the mask that is best for you. However, we have also ordered sufficient reusable cloth masks to supply all faculty and staff with one, as well as all students required to be on campus the rest of this summer and this fall.”
» mletourneau@brandonsun.com
» Michele LeTourneau covers Indigenous matters for The Brandon Sun under the Local Journalism Initiative, a federally funded program that supports the creation of original civic journalism.