N.S. announces it will keep mandatory masking in schools for a few more weeks

In an about-face, Nova Scotia announced Friday it will keep mandatory mask rules in schools as the province enters Phase 3 of its reopening plan on Monday.

"It is clear the best decision based on today's information is to keep masking in schools until the middle of April," Premier Tim Houston said, referencing a pediatric advisory group's recent recommendation on the continuation of masking in school.

In public schools, staff and students will follow the updated guidance, which includes:

The announcement came as Nova Scotia reported 15 new deaths from COVID-19 in its first data update in more than a week.

As of Thursday, there were 38 people hospitalized with COVID-19, including 12 in intensive care.

Of those hospitalized, 23.7 were unvaccinated or had just one dose. The age range of people in hospital is one to 100 and the median age is 66.

Starting Monday: 

While masking won't be mandatory in most settings on Monday, Nova Scotia Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Robert Strang said he strongly recommended people continue to wear masks, physically distance, get tested for COVID-19 and keep social gatherings small.

"The most important actions that individual Nova Scotians can take are to protect yourself and the loved ones around you," Strang said.

Strang said individual businesses are allowed to require patrons wear masks.

Restrictions will remain in place in high-risk settings like hospitals and long-term care homes, Strang said.

Strang said anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 is still required to self-isolate.

When asked about the fast-spreading "stealth Omicron" variant, Strang said the province will continue to monitor for it. He also stressed the importance of vaccines and booster shots. To date, only one case of this new variant has been reported in Nova Scotia.

"I'm not overly concerned about the cousin of Omicron having any greater impact than Omicron is currently having or has had," said Strang.