By Canadian Press

Rural schools close as Alberta’s COVID-19 vaccine passport system begins

Sep 21, 2021 | 8:26 AM

EDMONTON – Two schools in rural Alberta are closing their classrooms over the number of students not attending because of COVID-19 infections.

The Big Valley School and the Donalda School, both in the central part of the province, report that over 10 per cent of their students are away because of the illness.

Both are shifting their programs to online learning for students in Grades 1 through 9 until Oct. 1.

Kindergarten and playschool will continue at Big Valley School.

The move comes on the first day of the provincial government’s new proof-of-vaccination program that allows some facilities to operate without capacity limits and other public health measures.

Entertainment facilities are eligible to participate in the program, allowing them to operate normally as long as they ask patrons to show proof of vaccination.

Facilities including stores, libraries, hotels, post-secondary institutions and churches are not eligible but must follow rules like capacity restrictions.

(The Canadian Press)