By Liam Verster

COVID & Schools

Grande Prairie schools remain open but are following AHS guidelines around COVID-19

Mar 13, 2020 | 2:14 PM

As the risk of a COVID-19 outbreak forces events and sports to be cancelled or postponed, and facilities to close across Alberta, Grande Prairie & District Catholic Schools plans to keep classrooms open.

Superintendent Karl Germann, says schools will remain open, but will also follow the advice given by Alberta Health Services to limit gatherings to no more than 250 students.

“So what we’ve done, we’ve reduced some of the activities we’re doing to ensure we’re within that limit. We’re also suspending school field trips, as well as suspending community use of our schools for the time being until Easter season is done.

“In addition we’re also cancelling any trips that were international of nature. Whether they’re staff or students attending them for a variety of purposes.”

He says keeping the schools open will also benefit first responders and health professionals.

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“If the schools are open, there’s a higher chance that people will continue to work in Alberta Health Services, and that’s needed right now.”

He adds that lots of parents work in daycares, as doctors and nurses, or as first responders, and it’s important for them to be able to go to work.

Germann adds that he has spoken with Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer.

“We’re just trying to make sure that we keep him updated on the people that we know that are travelling, and what’s occurring. And always seeking advice in terms of ‘do the schools stay open or closed,’ and right now, after we went through a rundown of the variety of case scenarios that we have, they’re saying ‘Please keep it open.’ So we will.”

Both the Provincial and Federal Governments are advising against travelling outside Canada, which Germann agrees with, especially as Spring Break gets closer.

“We understand that there will still be a number of people who contract the virus, but if it can be contracted over a period of time, it’s going to lessen the impact it has on people and the economy, and everything else that’s out there. So by encouraging people not to travel at Easter, it’s going to be helpful.”

Germann says that they are continuing to watch the situation, and are doing daily monitoring of staff and students. He adds that there is concern for the health and well-being of the staff and students, but notes that it’s important for schools to stay open for as long as possible.

Germann says anyone infected should not attend school and should self-isolate for 14 days, to avoid spreading the airborne virus.

At this time, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Grande Prairie area.

The Peace Wapiti Public School Division says its schools will also remain open.

A news release from the Division adds school-based non-essential extracurricular activities have been cancelled. That includes parent-teacher interviews and sports events.

Any school facility rentals must be cancelled as of Sunday. Any events to be held at a PWPSD school Friday or Saturday that could draw more than 250 people must be cancelled right away.

The Division has added a special page to its web site to provide information for families and staff.

EverythingGP reached out to the Grande Prairie Public School Division to hear what steps they are taking to prevent an outbreak and follow AHS guidelines, they have not responded to a request for comment.