As of May 1, 2022, the University of Toronto Administration intends to “pause” the requirement to wear masks in indoor University spaces. This is the wrong approach. U of T should maintain the mask mandate as a best practice to protect the safety of its students, staff, faculty, librarians, and our broader community. 

Masks are highly effective at preventing the spread of COVID-19. Simply encouraging people on campus to wear masks will not provide enough protection. Ontario is currently experiencing a sixth wave of the pandemic, with high wastewater signals, and high levels of hospitalizations. This situation has been attributed in part to the Province of Ontario’s removal of its mask mandate.

Many universities have already extended their mask mandates, including the University of British Columbia, Brock University, Carleton University, the University of Guelph, McMaster University, Queen’s University, Western University, the University of Windsor, and York University. Several school boards have also recently reinstated their mask mandates, including the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and Thames Valley District School Board.

We, the undersigned, call on President Gertler to maintain the requirement to be masked in indoor University spaces.  

Please sign this letter and distribute it widely!

Contact: faculty@utfa.org