N.B. Announces New COVID-19 Precautions For Schools

New Brunswick’s education minister has announced new measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in schools and daycares.

In a letter sent to parents Monday night, Education and Early Childhood Education Minister Dominic Cardy said any students, staff, volunteers or their family members who have returned from international travel after Sunday will have to avoid schools, district offices and early learning facilities for 14 days.

It comes three days after Cardy first announced the measure for those who returned from specific countries, including China, Iran and Italy.

“These additional measures are being taken by the department to address anxiety in our schools, early learning facilities and communities, increase the safety of staff, children and students, and to ensure that we have taken all necessary means to respond to the current situation,” wrote Cardy in the first letter on Friday.

“Today, with no cases reported, there is no reason to close our schools and childcare centres but every reason to begin to take these precautions.”

Cardy also announced Monday that all international school-related travelled would be cancelled for the rest of the school year.