High school students across New Brunswick will return to full-time in-person learning on April 12.
The announcement came earlier today with changes to the return to school plan that include staff and students being required to wear masks unless eating or engaged in physical activity, new spaces for lunches and breaks, as well as a mandatory seating plan for classrooms and buses.
If a positive case is found at a high school, the facility will be closed for three days to allow for contact tracing, school cleaning and testing of close contacts.
Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Dominic Cardy says, “We have always acknowledged that the situation, particularly for high school students, is not ideal. These changes mean all students in Grades 9 through 12 will be learning in the classroom every day in the Yellow and Orange Public Health levels.”
The decision was made by Public Health and the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.
“Public Health fully supports the safe return of high school students to school,” said Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health.
Beginning today all high school staff are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and will be receiving an invitation today to participate in vaccination clinics next week organized by the regional health authorities. Additional vaccination clinics will be available for staff in elementary and middle schools and early childhood service providers and child care staff.
High school students who are 16 and older with complex medical conditions are also eligible to receive the vaccine. They can confirm their eligibility by checking the list of medical conditions.
