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Communicable disease activity at school
Communicable diseases circulate in our communities. As long as cases occur within our communities, K to12 students and staff members may be affected. Schools have communicable disease prevention measures in place and will contact public health if they have concerns about communicable disease transmission within schools and require additional support.
Prevention measures
Prevention measures are in place to reduce the spread of communicable diseases. These include effective personal practices like health awareness, staying home when sick and regular hand cleaning. All students and staff should:
Health awareness
Health awareness reduces the likelihood of a person coming to school when they are sick. This includes checking regularly for symptoms of illness to make sure you or your child don’t come to school while sick.
Students, staff and other adults should follow public health guidance and the recommendations of their health care provider when they are sick. Health information is also available from Healthlink BC or by calling 8-1-1.
Masks
The decision to wear a mask or face covering is a personal choice for everyone. People can choose to continue to wear a mask throughout the day or during specific activities. This choice will be supported and treated with respect.
Communicable disease guidelines
The Provincial Communicable Disease Guidelines for K-12 School Settings are developed by the Ministry of Education and Child Care, in collaboration with the B.C. Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), Indigenous rightsholders and education partners, including teachers, parents and school leaders.
These guidelines build on public health guidance, and are used by boards of education, independent school authorities and schools to support communicable disease prevention planning.
Ventilation
School districts will ensure heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems