An anti-vaccine protester and a vaccine supporter demonstrate in from of a hospital in Montreal, Monday, Sept. 13, 2021. A British Columbia school district says it will begin locking its schools' outside doors during classtime after anti-mask protesters entered several schools on Friday, which comes after protests against COVID-19 masking and vaccination protocols were staged outside hospitals across the country on Monday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
September 18, 2021 - 10:35 AM
SALMON ARM, B.C. - A British Columbia school district says it will begin locking its schools' outside doors during classtime after protesters opposed to COVID-19 protective measures entered several facilities on Friday.
School District 83 (North Okanagan-Shushwap) superintendent Donna Kriger says several schools were placed in a "hold and secure" to ensure the safety of staff and students.
Kriger says the protesters' decision to enter schools around Salmon Arm, B.C., is "completely unacceptable."
Starting Monday, outside doors to schools in the district will remain locked during the day, and those who want to enter a school are asked to contact staff.
Kriger says the district will be working with RCMP to ensure protesters are kept off school property.
B.C. reported 768 cases of COVID-19 on Friday, along with 11 deaths linked to the virus.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 18, 2021.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2021