Nearly all students in Central Okanagan complying with new mask mandate

The vast majority of students in the Kelowna area are complying with the requirement to wear a mask, including the youngest ones who had to start wearing one this week.

Superintendent Kevin Kaardal of the Central Okanagan school district said 97% of kindergarten to Grade 3 students were compliant on the first day of mandated masks, which came into effect on Monday, Oct. 4.

Among Grades 4 to 12, which already had to wear masks at school, Kaardal said 99% follow the rule. He said the mask-wearing culture in his schools are outstanding.

On Oct. 6, a small demonstration was held outside of the school board’s head office on Hollywood Avenue in Kelowna. About 12 people, some children, were displaying placards and shouting words like “shame.”

“My only concern was some, and only some, protesters were quite rude to staff when they were coming in to work and I think that was inappropriate,” Kaardal said.

The landscape keeps changing in the fight against COVID, Kaardal said, and the schools will continue to follow the advice of the provincial health experts.

READ MORE: Dozens gather for anti-vaccine card protest in downtown Kelowna

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