British Columbia
The Government of British Columbia announced the following measures:
Repealing the Haida Gwaii Travel Ban
Via Order in Council, the ban on travel to Haida Gwaii for non-residents and non-essential travel has been repealed.
For more information, see the original Order and the repealing Order.
Alberta
The Government of Alberta announced the following measures:
PPE for Schools
The Municipal Affairs Minister, Tracy Allard, and Education Minister, Adriana LaGrange, announced that by the end of the day today, every school division should have received their shipments of personal protective equipment (PPE). Every student, teacher and staff member will receive two reusable masks. Every teacher and staff member will also receive one face shield. Every school will receive two contactless thermometers, and 466,000 litres of hand sanitizer will be distributed across the education system.
Saskatchewan
The Government of Saskatchewan announced the following measures:
Safe Schools Plan: Parent Information Packages Released
The Ministry of Education released parent information packages for distribution prior to the start of the school year on September 8, 2020.
For more information, visit the Saskatchewan Government’s website.
Manitoba
The Government of Manitoba announced the following measures:
Public Health Order
The Chief Provincial Public Health Officer, Dr. Brent Roussin, has made an Order under subsection 67(3) of The Public Health Act (CCSM c P210) that, effective August 28, 2020, anyone with COVID-19 or exposed to the virus must self-isolate for 14 days. Someone not complying with this order will be fined up to $486 dollars.
Ontario
The Government of Ontario announced the following measures:
Day Trips and Overnight Absences to Resume at Long-Term Care Homes
Effective immediately, long-term care residents can once again leave their residences for short-term stays and temporary absences.
For absences that do not include an overnight stay, homes must provide residents with a medical mask to be worn at all times when outside of the home. When residents return, they must be actively screened but are not required to be tested or to self-isolate.
Overnight absences will be at the discretion of the facility and will be decided on a case-by-case basis. Residents who leave on a temporary absence will be required to self-isolate for 14 days when they return to the home.
Quebec
The Government of Quebec announced the following measures:
State of Emergency Renewal
On August 26, the Québec government adopted an Order to renew the state of public health emergency throughout the Quebec territory and extend the measures provided for by Orders in Council until September 2.
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Le gouvernement du Québec a annoncé les mesures suivantes :
Renouvellement de l’état d’urgence
Le 26 août, le gouvernement du Québec a adopté un décret pour renouveler l’état d’urgence sanitaire sur tout le territoire québécois et prolongé les mesures prises par arrêtés ministériels jusqu’au 2 septembre.
Newfoundland and Labrador
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador announced the following measures:
Special Measures Order – Mandatory Masks
On Monday, August 24, 2020, the Chief Medical Officer of Health ordered that masks would be mandatory, other than with some exceptions, in the long list of indoor settings, such as public transit, retail businesses and restaurants and lounges.
The Special Measures Order, including a list of indoor locations and of mask exemptions, can be viewed here.
Public Advisory: Changes to Travel Restrictions for Newfoundland and Labrador Homeowners
On August 27, 2020, the Department of Health and Community Services announced that effective August 31, 2020, individuals living outside Atlantic Canada who own a second home, vacation home or cabin in Newfoundland and Labrador will be allowed to enter the province.
Homeowners will still have to apply for a travel exemption through Public Health, and proof of home ownership will be needed. Homeowners must also observe the mandatory 14-day self-isolation period.
For more information, visit the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s website.
New Brunswick
The Government of New Brunswick announced the following measures:
Return to School Plans Aim to Reduce Congestion in High Schools and Support Flexible Learning
On August 27, 2020, the Government of New Brunswick announced the Return to School plan for students in grades 9 to 12. The schedule will vary between schools, depending on the number of students and the amount of available space at each location.
All grade students registered in a class will have full time learning with their teachers and classmates regardless of whether they are at home or at school. Schools that have the capacity for physical distancing measures may have students scheduled to attend class every day.
Attendance will be taken in virtual courses, and teachers will have a scheduled check-in and follow-up for all students. When at home, students will use Microsoft Teams, Desire 2 Learn or Clic.
For more information, visit the Government of New Brunswick’s website or read the detailed plan in Return to School: September 2020.
Prince Edward Island
The Government of Prince Edward Island announced the following measures:
Schools Set to Welcome Students with Updated Back to School Plan
On August 28, 2020, the Department of Education and Lifelong Learning announced some updates for its back to school plan.
Updates to the mask policy are as follows:
- masks will be required for all students K-12 while riding the bus;
- masks will be required for bus drivers when they are not seated, facing forward and driving the bus;
- masks will be required for students in Grades 7-12 during transitions and emergency procedures;
- masks will be required for staff teaching Grades 7-12 during transitions and emergency procedures;
- masks will be required for any visitor to the school during transitions and emergency procedures; and
- exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis.
For students and staff in grades K-6, there have been no changes to the mask policy, and masks continue to be encouraged where physical distancing cannot be maintained.
Additionally, the Department announced that the following changes in schools can be expected by students, families and staff come September:
- physical distancing, directional signage and increased hand washing and sanitizing stations;
- staggered recess, lunch and arrival and departure times;
- classrooms reorganized to increase spacing;
- movement and schedules in cohorts to minimize contact;
- cohorts will be kept as small as possible;
- a focus on student and staff well-being;
- revised curriculum to address potential gaps;
- breakfast, snack and lunch programs will continue under CPHO food premises guidelines;
- students will have the opportunity to engage in all subject areas, although some subject areas may look different;
- school sports will be paused during school start-up; and
- student committees, such as Student Council activities,b will need to follow all guidelines and virtual options will be encouraged.
Schools have the option to stagger their start dates and are able to have orientations for new grades on September 8, 2020. If there is an orientation, then the remaining grades will start classes on September 9, 2020. Schools will let parents know the intended start dates.
For more information, visit the Government of Prince Edward Island’s website.
Family Members of Seasonal Residents Can Now Apply to Visit PEI
On August 28, 2020, the Province announced the easing of travel restrictions to allow Canadian citizens and permanent residents who are the family members of seasonal residents to travel to Prince Edward Island. These family members include children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents and siblings. They can now apply for pre-approved travel to visit the family member’s seasonal property online at Apply to Enter PEI as a Seasonal Resident. Visitors must still complete a 14-day self-isolation upon arrival at the property.
For more information, visit the Government of Prince Edward Island’s website.
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