Courtesy CPAC
Following a positive case of COVID-19 identified at Bessborough School in Moncton this week, New Brunswick education minister Dominic Cardy says students will return to classes on Monday after a couple days of online learning.
He adds a handful of Bessborough classes will still be learning online next week.
Cardy says schools provincewide will continue to remain open but added he will not hesitate to close schools if recommended by Public Health.
Cardy notes the province also has five early learning centres in Zones 1, 2 and 3 which have experienced positive cases.
Reminders were issued today for guidelines under the Orange level of pandemic recovery:
- Staff and students of all ages must wear a mask in school and while on school buses.
- Masks may be removed when students are eating, drinking, or engaged in sports or physical education classes.
- Students in kindergarten to Grade 8 may remove their masks if they are working silently at their desk.
“Thanks to New Brunswickers following these measures, we have been able to avoid extensive transmission in schools and have minimized the impact of the pandemic on learning,” said Cardy.
“We have used a layered approach that includes keeping students in consistent, smaller groups; using masks; encouraging proper hygiene; and promoting physical distancing as much as possible. Everyone must co-operate to keep our schools healthy and safe for our students.”
Extracurricular activities, including interscholastic and extramural sports, will be limited to skills and drills practices within one team.
Teams in all regions are reminded to be vigilant in screening participants prior to any event, including games and practices.
Rosters and lists of participants must also be kept.
Physical education classes should focus on activities that allow for physical distancing, such as yoga, dancing and moderate walking.
No singing or use of wind instruments is allowed while in the Orange level.
More information is available on the Return to School website.
