Liberal MLA Benoît Bourque. Image: New Brunswick Liberal Association
The Liberal Opposition raising concerns about the new school year when it comes to COVID-19 testing, busing, resources and mental health.
Education critic Benoît Bourque said it’s unclear how the testing procedures will work for unvaccinated teachers.
“We have no idea of how they are going about it in the schools. Is there a chance these teachers or teaching assistants [ will ]be in contact with the students while waiting for results,” Bourque said.
The provincial Liberals want the Higgs government to improve ventilation in schools in the fight against COVID-19.
Bourque noted other jurisdictions took immediate action to fix this issue in their schools.
He does likes the current policy surrounding masks in schools.
“Where the minute you leave the classroom and your desk, then you have to put your mask on.
That is the appropriate way to go until they reach the 90 per cent threshold of students 12 years and older being vaccinated,” Bourqe said.
Bourque wants to see vaccination clinics held in schools to help reach the 90 per cent target for lifting the mask mandate.
Over Zoom on Friday, he told reporters he believes it’s about 60 per cent right now.
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