During the epidemic, teachers and support staff ensured that students strictly followed health and safety standards, including maintaining greater distance between desks, reducing physical contact, practicing the habit of cleaning hands, measures to block droplets, cleaning frequently touched surfaces twice a day, and setting clear guidelines for pick-up, lunch and recess.

Teachers are also using innovative and creative methods to help students, such as arranging online music performances, using video games to keep students active and physically challenged, teaching Indigenous cooking, and using video games to conduct treasure hunts together, so that students still feel fulfilled. Through Zoom, 35,000 teachers in British Columbia schools can connect with students online using the secure platform.

Our goal is to welcome as many students back to the classroom as possible in September, once Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry deems it safe. We have established a five-phase reopening plan to ensure schools can respond quickly even if a second wave occurs. Each of these five phases adheres to strict health and safety guidelines from the Provincial Health Officer, the BC Centre for Disease Control, and WorkSafeBC.