NB Education Minister Dominic Cardy

Education Minister Dominic Cardy says some changes have been made to allow schools to remain open when a Zone moves into the Red Level.

The new measures include students and staff staying home if they have only one symptom of COVID – school staff being screened for COVID when they report for work each day – and if a positive case is confirmed at a school – it will be closed for a minimum of three days to allow for contact tracing.

Cardy says schools provide a supervised environment with strict health and safety protocols. The Minister also says “their social needs can be met, while maintaining physical distancing, using masks, and being encouraged to maintain proper hygiene.” He also says it helps parents who must work outside the home and who might have to give up their jobs to stay home with their children if schools are closed.

The Edmundston region is now in the Red Level and Chief Medical Officer of Health – Dr Jennifer Russell – says the Moncton – Saint John – and Fredericton River Valley zones are on the cusp of moving into Red.