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Province eases school health measures
Wed, 9 Feb, 2022
Yesterday, the Government of Alberta announced a three-step plan to ease public health measures. This plan will result in changes to how we approach COVID-19 in our schools.
Step 1: masks in schools
Starting Monday, February 14, there will be no mask requirements for students in schools or on school buses.
Although we continue to encourage students to wear masks, the Minister of Education has indicated that school divisions no longer have the authority to go beyond provincial health requirements. This means that school boards will not be able to require masks.
After February 14, families and students will make their own decisions about whether wearing a mask is right for them and those decisions will be respected.
Continuing safety measures
At this time, adults are still required to wear masks. This includes all school staff, visitors, parents and school bus drivers.
For the time being, additional safety measures will continue, including:
- cohorting students where possible
- daily health screenings for students and staff before coming to school
- hand hygiene requirements for students and staff
- enhanced cleaning and disinfecting in schools
- moving individual classes online if needed
Step 2: removing other school health measures
The Government of Alberta is targeting March 1, 2022 for Step 2 of their plan depending on hospitalization rates. Step 2 includes removing any remaining school measures. Although masks are still required for adults in schools, this may change starting March 1.
We will continue to monitor updates from the province and will share information about what will happen during Step 2 as soon as we receive it.
More information
Read a letter to families from Superintendent Darrel Robertson.
