EXCERPTS

Students across Alberta will return to classrooms for the 2020/21 school year under scenario 1: In-class learning with enhanced health and safety measures.

School health measures

The school re-entry plan (2020-21 school year) allows schools and parents to prepare for learning while putting student and staff safety first.

The plan offers guidance on a wide range of operational issues including:

• hygiene and health requirements
• student learning
• transportation
• diploma exams
• mental health and psychological supports for students and staff

Schools should consider the following health measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Physical distancing and grouping

• Practice physical distancing when possible.
• Emphasize other hygiene practices in classrooms, buses and during activities when physical distancing may not be possible.
• Reorganize rooms to allow for more physical space.
• Create cohorts of students by class where possible.
• Guide foot traffic flow through entrances and hallways by using markers on the floor or pylons/barriers.
• Avoid large gatherings like assemblies.

Mask

• Staff and students under scenario 1 are not currently mandated to wear masks, but may choose to wear one.
• Consider wearing masks when there is prolonged close contact (greater than 15 minutes) and distance of 2 metres cannot be maintained.