A small protest was held outside the Central Okanagan school district office in Kelowna, Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021.

(CARLI BERRY / iNFOnews.ca)

All across British Columbia, masks became mandatory for students in kindergarten to Grade 3 on this week, but not without a fight from a dozen-or-so people in Kelowna.

This morning, Oct. 6, a small demonstration was held outside of the Central Okanagan Public Schools office on Hollywood Road in Kelowna. Later in the day, the school board condemned the protest, calling mask mandates one of the most basic layers of safety in schools.

"We cannot condone a protest against any safety measure," school district superintendent Kevin Kaardal said in a press release.

“Safety for our staff and students will remain our priority. The hard-working people who facilitate safe and healthy learning in schools are not deterred by this attempt to disrupt their work, and we commend the diligence of both staff and students who will continue to help keep each other safe.”

READ MORE: Kelowna students might learn from anti-maskers, but not what they intended

Along with other layers of protection against COVID, the requirement to wear masks will continue to be followed at schools in the district.

"Our staff work every day to create a safe and equitable learning and working environment for all our students and each other. They do not deserve to be treated disrespectfully," board chair Moyra Baxter said in the release.

“Shame on you” could be heard from the crowd, which consisted of adults and a few children. One sign read “Just say no.” Another said, “False statements are a crime; lock her up” with a photo of Dr. Bonnie Henry’s head in front of a Canadian flag.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has said the new measures are about adding more protection for this phase of the pandemic.

“This pandemic continues to evolve and so do we,” Dr. Henry said in a media release. “We need to make changes to fit the situation as it's arising. We know the COVID-19 virus is being transmitted more rapidly, particularly to those who don’t have the protection that vaccination offers.”

A small protest was held outside the Central Okanagan school district office on Hollywood Road in Kelowna, Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021.

(CARLI BERRY / iNFOnews.ca)

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