If COVID case levels remain low and stable, the return to school in September will look remarkably like that before the pandemic struck.
The provincial government released its Return to School plan this morning.
Education Minister Tom Osborne says the plan was made in consultation with Dr. Janice Fitzgerald and Public Health, education officials and public sector unions.
He says Public Health will determine the risk level and if current COVID levels prevail, then all students will return to in-class learning come September 8.
Under the Low-Risk scenario, cohorts and physical distancing of two metres will no longer be required. The wearing of masks in school is no longer mandatory, but schools will encourage students and staff who still want to wear their masks.
Busing returns to normal capacity and masks will no longer be required on buses under the Low-Risk scenario. Special events like field trips and extracurricular activities will resume, and parents of Kindergarten students will be able to accompany their children to school on the first day of class.