The province’s Chief Medical Officer of Health is making the use of non-medical masks mandatory for all those in indoor public spaces effective next week.

The new requirement is in effect August 24 for everyone five years of age and older while in public indoor areas. That includes common areas of office buildings, stores, places of worship, or performance spaces.

Masks will not be required in the classroom, but are required on school buses.

More information can be found on the provincial government’s website. 

Dr. Janice Fitzgerald says the harm of keeping children home from school outweighs the risk presented by COVID-19 in the province at this time.