On Friday, March 11, the provincial government announced revised health guidelines that included the lifting of the provincial mask mandate. While masks are still required in some high-vulnerability settings, such as health-care facilities, and businesses may choose to require masks, most citizens are no longer required to wear them in most indoor situations. Camosun administration encourages students to use their own discretion while respecting others who wish to continue to social distance and wear masks, but the college no longer requires masks to be worn in its buildings.
First-year Massage Therapy student Delaney Booker says that she never had a problem wearing a mask in the first place, and, despite the relaxed rules, mask wearing remains sensible in close-contact situations or when there are lots of people around.
“[Not wearing masks] feels pretty comfortable in class, especially because we’re such a small group of students, but when we’re doing anything practical, definitely still wear masks,” she says. “We get pretty close to each other, so personally I wear a mask still, and then when we’re in our clinic we also have masks on as well. I think the amount of people around you still plays a role.”
Jacob Amato is a first-year Business student who feels relieved that masks are no longer required, but supports individual choice to continue to wear them.
“I’m glad it’s lifted, honestly. It’s been two years since the start of COVID, and I know that there’s lots of people with breathing problems, and it’s just kind of a pain,” he says. “All the provinces seem to be doing it, so we’re following suit, and a lot of countries have already lifted them, so I think it’s about time that people got back to normal. But if you choose to wear a mask, that’s totally up to you and I’m fine with people who still want to.”
First-year Civil Engineering student Cody Dalgleish says that he is fine with deferring to the provincial authorities.
“I like not wearing a mask, but I guess it’s up to the officials,” he says. “If they think it’s safe to do so and we’re not going to have a jump in cases, then I’m happy not to, but if they were to say that we need you to wear masks to prevent it, it’s a small price to pay. I’d rather be in school, personally.”
First-year Education Assistant and Community Support student Jasmine Vuong says that she’s concerned about the relaxed rules, and she supports continued social distancing, particularly between those who choose not to wear a mask and those who still wish to.
“I’m feeling more nervous, since I have underlying health conditions,” she says. “If people choose to wear a mask, they can stay in one spot, and people who choose not to wear a mask, then they sit somewhere else. Just for me, it’s a bit more of reassurance for my safety.”
Second-year Business Administration student Cierra Kamis is simply happy to see the end of the COVID era.
“I just want things to go back to normal; I stopped wearing a mask once they lifted it,” she says. “I work at a restaurant and most of my co-workers stopped wearing them, too. It just seems more normal now, I guess.”
First-year Kinesiology student Jace Francis is relieved to hear of the change, and remarks that not wearing a mask indoors feels eerily criminal now.
“I think it’s good… I thought it was kind of annoying having to wear masks,” he says. “It sort of feels like every time I walk in somewhere, it’s illegal, not wearing a mask. It feels good not having to wear one anymore.”