B.C.’s top doctor says there are no plans to extend winter break in B.C. schools amid the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Bonnie Henry said discussions with stakeholders determined that the downsides of ending in-class instruction early or resuming classes at a later date outweighed the potential benefits.
Henry said exposure events in schools reflect community spread and there have been few school outbreaks.
“We are not having large numbers of transmission events in schools,” she said Monday.
Read more:
B.C.’s health minister ‘actively considering’ extending students’ annual winter break
“Schools really are a safe place and an important place for educators and for students.”
Last month, officials in Alberta announced a longer winter break for students.
Students in grades 7 to 12 ended in-class instruction this past Friday, two weeks earlier than originally planned. Students in Kindergarten to Grade 6, and early childhood learning, will begin online learning on Dec. 18. until their winter break begins.
Read more:
B.C. extends ban on social gatherings until Jan. 8, restricting Christmas and New Year’s events
A return to the classroom in Alberta has been delayed to Jan. 11.
Henry also said Monday that COVID-19 restrictions in B.C. have been extended to Jan. 8 as the province continues to experience high levels of transmission and community spread of the virus.
Read more:
Top 12 questions and answers from Global BC’s town hall with Adrian Dix and Dr. Bonnie Henry
All worship services and community and social events remain suspended, along with high-intensity group fitness, such as interval training, hot yoga and spin classes.
The latest order includes an exemption for drive-thru events like light festivals and drop-off toy drives.
— With files from