Comparing School COVID-19 Policies Across Canada

October 5, 2021

People for Education will continue to keep track of COVID-19 education policies across the country as they are changed and revised. Please contact [email protected] if/when updates are available in your province or territory.

P/T	In-person, online, or hybrid	Masks and distancing	Extracurriculars	Vaccines, Rapid-Testing	Resources
BC	Full-time, in-person learning resumes Online education available to students in Grades 8 to 12. They may learn from home entirely, or take some courses online and some in person. Students required to complete daily health checks and stay home when feeling sick	NEW As of October 4, all students from K to 12 must wear masks at all times No physical distancing required	Extracurricular activities, sports, music resume	BC Vaccine Card in development: Proof of vaccination will be required for entry into most non-essential activities, but does not apply to schools	NEW Updated Public Health Communicable Disease Guidance for K-12 Schools
AB	NEW September 15, state of public health emergency declared In person school returns NEW Beginning Oct. 12, parents will be informed if their child may have been exposed to COVID-19 at school. School authorities will handle contact tracing and notification, but Alberta Health will take over notifications in mid November. Students and staff should screen daily for symptoms using the Alberta Health Daily Checklist	NEW As of Sept 15, masks made mandatory for grades 4 to 12 and for all teachers and staff, but students may remove them in class if working quietly and alone Masks must be worn on school buses Students in kindergarten through grade 6 to remain in cohorts wherever possible	NEW In indoor settings, groups should not sing or play wind instruments for more than 30 minutes at a time, with a 10-minute break afterwards to allow for air exchange in the room	No mandatory vaccination requirements, but the Ministry is encouraging school districts to enact mandatory policies for staff. NEW Schools must report to Alberta Health Services (AHS) if there is a school-wide absence rate of 10% or greater due to illness OR there is an unusual number of individuals with similar symptoms within a cohort or class. At that time AHS will determine if an outbreak should be declared Public Health has the power to close a school if necessary NEW The province will begin distributing rapid testing kits late-October to staff and parents in Kindergarten to Grade 6 schools that are on “outbreak” status.	Learning during COVID Parents’ Guide to the 2021-22 school year NEW – Information and guidance for K-12 schools and school buses
SK	NEW September 13, Provincial Emergency Order for Health Care Prekindergarten to Grade 12 schools to return to regular operations for 2021-22 school year	NEW On September 17, the government announced a province-wide mandatory masking order for all indoor public spaces, including schools.		No mandatory vaccination NEW Some boards bringing in new policy to require staff to either show proof of vaccination or regular negative test NEW As of October 4, families with children 11 and under may receive self-testing kits for all household members.	NEW COVID-19 measures NEW Parents’ self-testing guide
MB	In-person learning returns Online learning to continue for students who are immunocompromised (or those with household members who are)	NEW Masks re required for all Kindergarten to Grade 12 students in schools and when riding the bus. Buses will be at full capacity but with assigned seating Cohorts are mandated for Kindergarten to Grade 6 to reduce the potential exposure in students not yet eligible for vaccination.	Extra-curricular activities, including sports, optional programming and field trips, are allowed, as long as the activities follow current public health recommendations and orders at the time	Manitoba Digital Immunization Card is required for non-essential activities NEW As of October 18, all school staff must provide proof of vaccination or regular proof of negative COVID-19 tests	COVID K-12 Guide for Parents Vaccine/Immunization record guide
ON	In-person learning returns Online education an option for all grades, with some boards providing a “hybrid” model where teachers teach students in-person and online simultaneously	Masks are required for students from Grades 1 to 12, and for all staff. Physical distancing where possible Buses can operate at full capacity Shared spaces may be used (e.g libraries, cafeterias, computer rooms)	Extracurricular activities are permitted, including most inter-school sports and field trips, including overnight trips Sports, including high-contact sports are permitted indoors and outdoors. Music programs are allowed – with distancing where possible	All school and board staff must provide proof of vaccination or twice weekly proof of negative COVID-19 tests No mandatory vaccination requirements for students, but differentiated protocols depending on vaccine status. Unvaccinated students or staff who have contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 must isolate for 10 days. Vaccinated students or staff do not have to isolate. NEW Rapid testing for unvaccinated asymptomatic students with no high risk contacts will be available to schools or licensed child care centres identified by their local public health unit.	COVID-19: health and safety measures at schools NEW Ontario vaccination policy guidelines
QC	All students will attend classes in person on a full-time basis.	NEW On October 1, the Ministry of Education increased mask requirements in a number of regions, making masks mandatory for 4- and 5-year-olds on school buses if older children are present, and mandatory for indoor physical education classes for students in grades 1 to 6 where physical distancing is not possible. Mask requirement in schools differs depending on case numbers: Higher case numbers: masks are mandatory at all times inside school classrooms, common areas, daycares, school buses Lower case numbers: Masks are not required in class, but mandatory in common areas and on school buses. No cohorts or “bubbles”	All extracurricular activities return Proof of Vaccination Certificate required for participation in sports activities with other schools, and for high school students participating in indoor sports activities and outdoor team sports that involve frequent or prolonged contact	The vaccination passport will be required for everyone age 13 and older to gain admittance to certain venues or engage in certain non-essential activities. NEW Preschool and elementary schools will administer rapid tests to students who display symptoms, with parental consent. More than 150,000 rapid tests have been distributed to schools. Province will gradually implement the use of rapid tests in all schools	Back-to-school 2021-2022 – Covid-19 Returning to my school
NB	NEW On Sept 24, the province re-instated a state of emergency Full-time in person school returns for all students Full size classes, with no “bubbles” or cohorting More detailed policy still to come, but additional protocols will be put in place, by health region, based on youth vaccination rates	NEW Students and staff required to wear masks in classrooms, common areas, and on school buses. NEW Students in Grades 9 to 12 are required to wear masks all day inside the school until individuals aged 12 to 19 in their health zone reach 90 % fully vaccinated.	NEW Students 12+ must be fully vaccinated to participate in indoor or outdoor extracurricular and intramural activities. In K to 8, virtual assemblies and concerts only; in grades 9 to 12, assemblies and concerts permitted with masks.	No mandatory vaccination requirements for students 12 and over Vaccinations are mandatory for all government employees Unvaccinated staff must undergo regular testing and wear masks	Healthy and Safe Schools Infographic NEW Healthy and Safe Schools – Guidelines for COVID-19 NEW State of emergency protocols
NS	Return to full-time in-person learning No cohorting	Masks are required for all students, staff, and visitors Mask policy will evolve in Phase 5 of its re-opening plan. Masks not required to participate in indoor activity unless physical distancing cannot be maintained. Masks not mandatory for outdoor physical activity. Masks are mandatory on school buses	No limits on who can enter school settings, including after-hours. Extra-curricular activities can fully resume following core public health measures. Music classes can fully resume following core public health measures. School assemblies and other gatherings can resume following core public health measures.	No mandatory vaccination requirements NEW On September 29, the province began distributing free COVID rapid testing kits to families of children in pre-primary to Grade 6 in Nova Scotia’s public school system to support early detection of COVID-19.	Public Health Guidance for Schools Returning to Class for 2021-22 School exposure data base
PE	NEW On September 13th, all Island schools moved to the province’s elevated risk scenario Some schools closed for in-person learning in mid-September and re-opened in the last week of September Online learning will be available to those who are at higher risk of COVID-19 If COVID situation changes, schools will move to plans similar to last year	Masks required at all times for Grades 4 to 12 except when eating, drinking or during physical activity. Teachers will be allowed to remove masks when teaching if they’re fully vaccinated unless they are working with vulnerable students. Masks are recommended for staff, students, and visitors, but not required Masks are required for staff, students, and visitors in all grades when transitioning through school buildings. Masks are required for students in all grades on school buses. Cohorting may be required in Grades K to 6, for both staff and students during classroom learning, recess, and breaks.	Gatherings and events, including assemblies, extracurricular activities, and school sports should follow public health guidelines (e.g. limit of 200 outdoors, 100 if the activity includes close contact, and 100 indoors).	No mandatory vaccination requirements Pop-up immunization clinics will be opened in schools as necessary. Daily home or self-screening for symptoms of COVID-19 is recommended for staff, students, and visitors.	Back to school FAQs Welcome Back to School Plan NEW PEI Elevated risk and outbreak management
NL	All schools will return to full-time in-person learning for the 2021-2022 school year with health and safety measures in place Policies will be adjusted depending on level of risk Schools will open with low-risk measures in place Remote learning is available only for students who cannot attend school for medical reasons Parents/guardians must provide school with medical documentation from a specialist indicating the student is immunocompromised	Masking not mandatory in a low-risk environment. If risk level changes in a particular area, mask requirements may resume Masks not required on school buses as long as situation remains low-risk. Cohorts and physical distancing are not required.	Extracurricular activities can resume Arts events, field trips, inter-school sports events etc. can resume Events and gatherings, such as assemblies, can resume for students in grades 7 to 12 Public Health continues to recommend virtual options be considered for K-6 students	No mandatory vaccination requirements	Return to School Plan: Together. Again Return to School Plan Infographic
YT	Kindergarten to Grade 12 students in classes in schools full-time, for the maximum instructional time possible, 5 days per week	All students 5 years and older and staff must wear masks in all common areas outside the classroom Masks mandatory on school buses for driver and children 5 years and older. No masks required when eating, drinking, or participating in physical activities . Staff must wear a mask if they are unable to maintain a 2-metre distance from students or other staff Physical distancing no longer mandatory for students.	Field trips are permitted, including overnight trips if public health guidelines are followed	No mandatory vaccinations requirements	K to 12 School Guidelines School during COVID Supporting youth mental wellness
NT	NEW As of October 1, several schools have been closed to in-person learning, and students are learning remotely. Students whose home schools are open for in-person learning, who have medical reasons may learn from home.	Masking is mandatory in all school settings and on school buses for JK – Gr. 12 students and school staff Ministry highly recommends classroom bubbles are maintained as much as is practicable. Physical distancing no longer required in Grades 7 to 12 classrooms.	Indoor drama classes, choir, assemblies, intramurals, tournaments, and high-contact sports are on hold	No mandatory vaccination requirements	Expectations and Requirements for 2021-22 School Year COVID update, October 1, 2021
NU	All schools will be open for 100% in-class learning for all students unless otherwise advised by the Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) The Dept. of Education will collaborate with the CPHO to adjust school response depending on the status of COVID-19 in each community, including transmission of COVID-19 variant, and healthcare capacity to respond to COVID-19 in a community including capacity to test, trace, and isolate cases; and vaccine coverage within certain age groups, schools, and communities.	School children five and over should wear a mask in school settings except where exemptions apply. Mask requirements are at the discretion of the CPHO, but even if the CPHO lifts the mask mandate, approved visitors who are not fully vaccinated will be required to wear masks in the school. Masks are not required for physical education or when eating.	Activities where students leave school property must follow land trip guidelines Land-based instruction or learning outdoors can be offered as an alternate learning space as the curriculum and weather permits Parent-teacher conferences should take place by phone, where possible, to minimize student and staff exposure opportunities to the community Members of the public and all non-essential visitors, including parents and guardians, are not permitted to enter schools for the duration of the school year.	No mandatory vaccination requirements	Health and Safety Guidelines for Nunavut Schools What is COVID-19 (online children’s book) Learning to be Together Again Nunavut’s Path: Living with COVID-19