Nova Scotia students set to return to class Tuesday

HRCE spokesperson Doug Hadley says things will eventually feel similar to the way they did before the pandemic

HALIFAXtoday \  Chris Halef

Students in Nova Scotia are set to return to class on Tuesday where they can expect most COVID measures to be in place until the province moves to phase 5 of its reopening plan.

Last month, Premier Tim Houston and Dr. Robert Strang, chief medical officer of health, announced masks will still be required when students return to class until further restrictions are lifted, at which point masks will become optional.

Halifax Regional Centre for Education spokesperson Doug Hadley told NEWS 95.7 that even when schools transition to making masks optional, it wants to ensure it supports students who wish to continue wearing them.

“We want to be supportive of those who wish to wear masks and ensuring they feel safe and comfortable to do so and even though masks aren’t going to be part of the equation from mandatory stand point, that the other core public health measures are still in place,” he said.

Hadley said those include social distancing, hand hygiene and students staying home if they do not feel well.

He adds things will eventually feel similar to the way they did before the pandemic.

“You’re going to see things like a return of subjects being taught in music and physical education like they would have been in the past,” said Hadley. “You’re going to see field trips. Schools sports are going to resume and gymnasiums will be open to the community.”

Hadley also said parents and guardians will be able to visit schools again.

Currently, the province is targeting Sept. 15 for when it plans to move to phase 5, but that’s only contingent upon having 75 per cent of the population fully vaccinated.