A group of organizations in B.C. has sent an open letter to the province asking for the immediate reinstatement of masking in public places.

The group includes the Safe Schools Coalition B-C and Protect Our Province B-C.

The letter states: “With masking, fewer British Columbians will get sick, helping to ‘flatten the curve’, and reduce the impact on our already strained hospitals and overburdened health-care staff.”

It goes on to say, “We also calling for a public education campaign explaining why masks are an effective tool against respiratory infections with emphasis on the importance of mask fit and better filtration-grade respirators.”

The letter was addressed to Premier-elect David Eby, Health Minister Adrian Dix, and Education Minister Jennifer Whiteside, calling on them to “act now.” The Health Ministry is holding a news conference later at 11am Wednesday morning for an update on the respiratory illness season in British Columbia.