The University of Toronto and Ryerson University plan to end their mask and vaccination mandates on May 1. This announce
Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2022 1:29 pm
The University of Toronto and Ryerson University plan to end
their mask and vaccination mandates on May 1. This announcement
came about a week after Ontario lifted its mask mandate in most
public indoor spaces. Masking remains mandatory on public transit,
in healthcare facilities, long-term and congregate care settings,
but that directive is also set to expire at the end of April 2022.
Both schools said the move is supported by the province's own
directive as well as public health authorities but could be
reversed on short notice if necessary. Earlier this month, the
Council of Ontario Universities (COU), of which both schools are
members, said universities would maintain their masking and
vaccination policies "until at least the end of the current term"
in a bid to "minimize uncertainty and disruption" to students,
staff and faculty. Also, the University of Waterloo, Wilfrid
Laurier University and the University of Guelph — also COU members
— announced they too would be lifting their face covering and
vaccine mandates on May 1. While mandates were lifted at elementary
and high schools last week, universities and colleges can choose to
keep their mandates because they are separate legal entities, a
spokesperson for Jill Dunlop, Ontario's Minister of Colleges and
Universities, previously told CBC News. While masks are no longer
required on campus after May 1, Ryerson University said: "We do
support those who choose to continue to wear a face covering. "We
strongly encourage our community members to wear masks in crowded
settings or in areas where you are working closely with others."
The University of Toronto had a similar message: "While physical
distancing and masking will no longer be required... it is vitally
important that, even with the easing of provincial measures, we
remain vigilant, conscientious and respectful of one
another."
1. Apply the Moral Reasoning Process model to this story.
their mask and vaccination mandates on May 1. This announcement
came about a week after Ontario lifted its mask mandate in most
public indoor spaces. Masking remains mandatory on public transit,
in healthcare facilities, long-term and congregate care settings,
but that directive is also set to expire at the end of April 2022.
Both schools said the move is supported by the province's own
directive as well as public health authorities but could be
reversed on short notice if necessary. Earlier this month, the
Council of Ontario Universities (COU), of which both schools are
members, said universities would maintain their masking and
vaccination policies "until at least the end of the current term"
in a bid to "minimize uncertainty and disruption" to students,
staff and faculty. Also, the University of Waterloo, Wilfrid
Laurier University and the University of Guelph — also COU members
— announced they too would be lifting their face covering and
vaccine mandates on May 1. While mandates were lifted at elementary
and high schools last week, universities and colleges can choose to
keep their mandates because they are separate legal entities, a
spokesperson for Jill Dunlop, Ontario's Minister of Colleges and
Universities, previously told CBC News. While masks are no longer
required on campus after May 1, Ryerson University said: "We do
support those who choose to continue to wear a face covering. "We
strongly encourage our community members to wear masks in crowded
settings or in areas where you are working closely with others."
The University of Toronto had a similar message: "While physical
distancing and masking will no longer be required... it is vitally
important that, even with the easing of provincial measures, we
remain vigilant, conscientious and respectful of one
another."
1. Apply the Moral Reasoning Process model to this story.