Northlands College operates in several communities in northern Saskatchewan. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

pandemic

Northlands College mandates masks, undecided on mandatory vaccinations

Aug 27, 2021 | 4:49 PM

Northlands College will be enforcing a mandatory mask mandate for all students and staff.

It was announced through a welcome back 2021 video released earlier this week. Northlands College CEO Guy Penney explained the mandate is effective as of Aug. 23 and it’s in response to a rising number of COVID-19 cases across the north and the province.

“I’m hoping that all of you will not necessarily embrace this, but certainly accept it, especially based on the fact you’re all very accustomed to it anyway,” he said. “One of the jobs I have as president and CEO of Northlands College is all of your safety and security and we take that at the upmost seriousness.”

The masking mandate will be reviewed at least twice per month and changes will be based on case counts. As of Aug. 27, there are 300 active COVID-19 cases in the three Far North zones with a total of 3,157 in Saskatchewan.

As for a vaccination mandate, Penney noted it is being studied and looked at very closely, but the board has not made a firm decision on it yet. The University of Saskatchewan and Saskatchewan Polytechnic have already announced on-campus students and staff will need to be fully vaccinated by mid-October or undergo frequent and regular testing.

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“We do take comfort in the fact that masking does work,” Penney said, adding those who are not yet vaccinated should consider doing so. “I know we are all looking forward to the time when we can see COVID very much in the rear view mirror and that life has gone back to normal again, but it’s not going to be tomorrow. We still have to live with this pandemic for a little bit longer.”

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno