British Columbia's education minister hopes the government will be able to avoid school closures under any scenario but he would defer to advice from public health officials should COVID-19 cases worsen.
Rob Fleming said Tuesday that the government would look to keep schools and daycares open even if the province were to lock down the economy to stop community transmission.
“That doesn't mean that we wouldn't amend how we deliver education,” he said in an interview.
“But I think we've learned from the early days of the pandemic that shutting down schools was probably a mistake when we should have focused on safety protocols.”
Those involved in the education system agree that it is important to keep children in school so they do not suffer developmental setbacks, he said.
Fleming said schools are safe although there is “increasing concern” about community transmission in the regions covered by Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health, especially in Surrey.
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced bans related to social gatherings, group fitness, workplaces and travel in the two regions on Nov. 7 to curb the spread of COVID-19. The restrictions are in place until Monday.
Fleming said he is waiting for the results of those restrictions before making further decisions with advice from health officials.
“It may include a modified break schedule over the winter. It may include some direction from public health on the various layers of protection in the school including masks. It may look at some other amendments we may make.”
-- with files from CTV News --