Activities that involve movement should be held outside, including those for physical health and education. Indoor or outdoor non-contact sports (e.g., tennis and soccer) are permitted, as long as physical distancing can be maintained during the play, except for brief exchanges of close contact. Choose outdoor settings as much as possible, as they are a lower risk for transmission of COVID-19. A more detailed document has been developed to provide guidance on how sports and other activities could be modified/adapted to reduce the transmission of COVID-19. It is available at: https://www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/restoring/sports-guidelines.html 

This document contains valuable information including the following directions on the wearing of masks for physical activity.

The wearing of non-medical masks or cloth face coverings is an additional personal practice that may help to prevent the infectious respiratory droplets of an unknowingly infected person (the wearer) from coming into contact with other people and surfaces. 

• In most circumstances non-medical masks or cloth face coverings are not deemed necessary in indoor or outdoor spaces when physical distancing is possible and can be predictably maintained. However, use of these masks may be considered if physical distancing is not possible or is unpredictable, and local epidemiology and community transmission warrant it.
• For sports where a face shield can be used (e.g. hockey), a face shield may be considered.
• In some activities, wearing a non-medical mask may not be practical or tolerable, e.g., in activities that require physical exertion there might be a risk of poor oxygenation, easily soiled/moistened mask due to sweating/heavy breathing, or risk from injury if the mask is caught on equipment.
• Non-medical masks should not be placed on young children under age two as they may be unable to remove the mask without assistance, which could impair their breathing.
• Children and youth in the same activity group will have recurrent interactions with one another, much like those of family members or people in a household. For this reason, non-medical masks may not be recommended. It will be important that group sizes are small and that the same children/youth, staff and volunteers are grouped together as much as possible. 
• The ability of a child/youth to complete tasks and follow direction will be dependent on a variety of factors (e.g. age, maturity, physical ability, comprehension). It will be important for child/youth staff and/or volunteers to assess ability to properly use and care for non-medical masks, based on the individuality of children/youth.
• It should be expected that some children/youth will wear non-medical masks in settings that have not adopted non-medical masks policies. Staff and volunteers should monitor for, and address, any discrimination or bullying associated with this practice (whether stigmatization is experienced by those who wear masks, and/or those who do not) and monitor for proper use.

Updated information for schools is posted regularly online at: www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/covid/index.html.

As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve in Manitoba, please check the provincial website at: www.manitoba.ca/covid19 for the most up-to-date information.

Manitoba Education and Manitoba Families are working together with school divisions and the child care sector to ensure that families can continue accessing child care within schools. Schools will work cooperatively with school-based child care centres to ensure that they can continue to operate. This includes protection of designated child care centre space for child care centres in schools, and an approach to supporting shared spaces, including cleaning protocols. 

For information and questions regarding licensed child care services outside of schools during the pandemic, please visit https://manitoba.ca/covid19/protection/childcare.html.

The most effective measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 include separating people by maintaining physical distance and the use of physical barriers. However, these measures are not always practical in child care and school settings. Therefore, it is most effective to use a layered approach, including physical distancing, physical barriers, masks, hygiene practices, and cleaning, and to develop administrative measures that support individuals to consistently follow personal preventive practices that decrease the number of interactions while increasing the safety of interactions that occur.

Public health recommends two metres of physical distancing. When this is not possible, students will remain within cohorts to reduce exposure to others. Cohorts will distance themselves at least four metres from other groups to limit exposure. In these instances, there must be at least one metre between students when seated at desks or tables.

Given the evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and transmission within our communities, guidance may change based on emerging circumstances and information from public health officials. If the public health situation changes or guidelines are not sufficient, current measures may be paused and other measures may be introduced or reintroduced.We will continue to monitor and adapt plans as the public health situation evolves. Updated information is posted regularly online at: www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/covid/index.html.

As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve in Manitoba, please check the provincial website at: www.manitoba.ca/covid19 for the most up-to-date information.

Manitoba’s plan to resume in-class learning establishes provincial consistency, while allowing for local flexibility where needed. The plan reflects the importance of safety, health and well-being, while ensuring reasonable measures and plans are in place to minimize the risk of transmission and exposure to the virus in schools, if it occurs.

The most effective measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 include separating people by maintaining physical distance and the use of physical barriers. However, these measures are not always practical in child care and school settings. Therefore, it is most effective to use a layered approach, including physical distancing, physical barriers, masks, hygiene practices, and cleaning, and to develop administrative measures that support individuals to consistently follow personal preventive practices that decrease the number of interactions while increasing the safety of interactions that occur.

Where possible, hand hygiene will be encouraged and supervised and alcohol-based hand sanitizer will be made available at all building access points and throughout the facility. Young children will require supervision when using alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is the recommended hand hygiene practice. All staff and students must engage in frequent hand hygiene, including before eating or drinking.

Health Canada has the following list of disinfectants and hand sanitizers that have been shown to be effective against COVID-19: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/ disinfectants/covid-19/list.html.

Manitoba Education will continue to work with educational partners to monitor and adapt plans as the public health situation evolves. Updated information is posted regularly online at: www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/covid/index.html. 

Manitoba’s plan to resume in-class learning establishes provincial consistency, while allowing for local flexibility where needed. The plan reflects the importance of safety, health and well-being, while ensuring reasonable measures and plans are in place to minimize the risk of transmission and exposure to the virus in schools, if it occurs.

The most effective measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 include separating people by maintaining physical distance and the use of physical barriers. However, these measures are not always practical in child care and school settings. Therefore, it is most effective to use a layered approach, including physical distancing, physical barriers, masks, hygiene practices, and cleaning, and to develop administrative measures that support individuals to consistently follow personal preventive practices that decrease the number of interactions while increasing the safety of interactions that occur.

Students are encouraged to keep personal belongings with them. Locker use should be limited or discontinued to avoid congregation in hallways. 

We will continue to monitor and adapt plans as the public health situation evolves. Updated information is posted regularly online at: www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/covid/index.html. 

Thank you for your suggestions. They have been shared with the program area. 

Manitoba Education will continue to work closely with public health, education stakeholders,
schools, divisions, independent schools, parents, caregivers and students to further develop plans
for the coming year. The Provincial K–12 COVID-19 Response Planning Team will continue to work
together, and regular conference calls will be held with education sector representatives.

The safety, health and well-being for all students, staff and families is a guiding principle in our planning. We will continue to monitor and adapt plans as the public health situation evolves. Please check the provincial website at www.manitoba.ca/covid19 for the most up-to-date information.

The public health information is subject to change as the science and information regarding COVID-19 continue to evolve. Please visit Latest COVID-19 Education News regularly at https://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/covid/index.html for the most up-to-date information.

Parents, guardians and staff are encouraged to consult with their health-care provider if they have concerns about their own health, their child’s health, or the health of other household contacts.

A chronic stable cough, sneeze, runny nose or nasal congestion that is unchanged and clearly linked to a known medical condition such as asthma or allergies, is not an absolute requirement for exclusion. As well, children who are crying can exhibit a runny nose. Changing or worsening of chronic symptoms require isolation and contacting Health Links – Info Santé. Parents and Staff should exercise judgment based on the symptoms, but when in doubt, err on the side of caution by excluding the child and advising the parent or caregiver to contact Health Links – Info Santé or their health-care provider.

Screening for symptoms is critical to identify any potential cases of COVID-19 as quickly as possible before exposure to others. If someone is unsure whether they or their child should be tested and self-isolate, they should be directed to the COVID-19 Screening Tool at https://sharedhealthmb.ca/covid19/screening-tool/. 

All screening that identifies suspected cases of COVID-19 should be referred to Health Links – Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or 1-888-315-9257. 

If there is a positive test, further direction will be provided by public health. Public health typically follows up with contacts of cases within 24 to 48 hours of receipt of the laboratory report. A sick child can return to the school once it has been determined that it is safe to do so by their health care provider or public health.

Manitoba’s plan to resume in-class learning establishes provincial consistency, while allowing for local flexibility where needed. The plan reflects the importance of safety, health and well-being, while ensuring reasonable measures and plans are in place to minimize the risk of transmission and exposure to the virus in schools, if it occurs.

Manitoba Education will continue to work closely with public health, education stakeholders, schools divisions, independent schools, parents, caregivers and students to further develop plans for the coming year. These policy and public health directions have been approved by the Chief Provincial Public Health Officer of Manitoba, and will help parents and families know what to expect when classes resume and where they can go for more information.

For more information, please refer to your school division plans available at https://manitoba.ca/covid19/restoring/school-divisions.html or contact your school office directly.

Welcoming our  Students Back Restoring Safe Schools: A Guide for Parents, Caregivers and  Students  (Aug. 24) states that:
Individuals should self-isolate and not enter schools or education facilities if they:
• are experiencing symptoms suggestive of COVID-19
• have travelled outside Manitoba in the previous 14 days (outside of areas excluded by public health orders, which currently exclude locations in Western Canada, the territories, and Ontario west of Terrace Bay)
• are a close contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19
• are awaiting a COVID-19 test result (excluding persons tested as part of
voluntary asymptomatic surveillance for COVID-19, as they do not need to isolate)

Manitoba Education will continue to work closely with public health, education stakeholders, schools, divisions, independent schools, parents, caregivers and students to monitor and adapt plans for the coming year.

Updates, documents, and more information regarding the COVID-19 Education Plan can be found at:

https://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/covid/index.html 

If that child has a positive test, further direction will be provided by public health. Public health typically follows up with contacts of cases within 24 to 48 hours of receipt of the laboratory report.

For more information on COVID-19, Public Health resources and Manitoba's Pandemic Response System, please visit https://www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/updates/index.html.