B.C. students to return to schools for full time classes, with mask policy in place

The B.C. government has confirmed students will return to classes for full time, in-person learning next month.

Education Minister Jennifer Whiteside told a news conference Tuesday all staff and students in grades 4 and up will be required to wear a mask in indoor spaces.

“This means students can look forward to a resumption of safe in person full time learning, extra curricular activities, sports, arts, performing arts and music,” said Whiteside.

Whiteside admitted COVID-19 will continue to be a challenge this school year.

“But we are not in the same situation this year as we were heading into last September because we now have safe and effective vaccines that we know protect us from Covid.”

As of this week 72 per cent of 12 to 17 year olds in B.C. have had their first vaccine dose and 57 per cent are fully vaccinated.

Whiteside said, unlike last year, there will not be cohorts or learning groups in K to 12 to start this school year.

In addition to the indoor mask requirements for all K-12 staff, visitors and students in grades 4 to 12, changes to the health and safety measures also include the ability for health authorities to introduce additional regional measures specific to individual schools or school districts in instances where community transmission rates are higher.

Whiteside said there will be greater opportunities for school sports and extracurricular activities, continued increased ventilation and improvements in schools, and daily cleaning and disinfecting protocols, along with a continued focus on hand hygiene.

“Students will continue to be required to complete daily health checks and stay home when feeling sick. Rapid response teams will continue to operate throughout B.C., working with health authorities and school districts to provide support and review school communicable disease plans to keep schools safe,” the minister said.

There are approximately 1,900 K-12 schools in B.C. In the 2020-21 school year, 40 schools closed temporarily for a short period of time due to COVID-19.

“We know last school year was challenging in many different ways for B.C. students, but they persevered and finished the school year strong,” said Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer. “While we are encouraged to see rising vaccination rates in most parts of the province, we need every eligible British Columbian, including children and youth aged 12 to 19, to receive vaccinations as they begin the new school year.”