Health and safety

All boards of education and independent school authorities will be required to implement strict provincial health officer and WorkSafe BC health and safety measures to reduce the risk COVID-19 transmission, including:

• desks spaced apart and avoiding groups or gatherings of students in hallways or other common areas;
• regular cleaning of high-contact surfaces like door knobs, toilet seats, keyboards and desks at least twice a day, and cleaning the school building at least once a day;
• students, educators and staff will be required to clean their hands before entering school property, and there will be more hand-sanitizing and cleaning stations available, with well-stocked supplies;
• staggered drop-offs, lunch and recess breaks, with increased outside time;
• staff and students (or their parents/guardians) must assess themselves daily for symptoms of COVID-19. If any student or staff member has even mild symptoms, arrangements will be made for that person to be returned home;
• one student per seat on school buses, unless children are from the same house. Consider using plexiglass to separate the bus driver from students; and
• students or employees should not share food or personal items like phones, pens or pencils. Clear protocols also need to be in place for the safe and healthy handling of all food items.