Public school students in Chilliwack travelling anywhere overseas for spring break will need to self-isolate for 14 days upon return.
That order from the School District 33 is in response to updates yesterday from the Provincial Health Officer, and makes more firm what was more of a request on Monday.
• READ MORE: Chilliwack students travelling overseas for spring break asked to self-isolate
It was then that acting superintendent Rohan Arul-pragasam said the district was “asking” families to be aware of the Government of Canada’s travel advisories, and similarly asking families travelling to China or Iran to self-isolate on return.
Now that’s an order.
“In order to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the BC Provincial Health Officer and the Minister of Health have made an announcement strongly advising against all non-essential travel outside of Canada including the United States,” Arul-pragasam wrote in a March 13 memo to students, parents and staff.
“Dr. [Bonnie] Henry further indicated that anyone who chooses to travel outside of Canada will be required to self-quarantine and stay away from work or school for 14 days upon their return to the province. The Chilliwack School District is expecting all staff and students to follow this advisory in order to ensure we do all we can to stop the spread of COVID-19. Please revise out of country travel plans at this time.”
He said further that students and staff who have already travelled out of the country will be able to return to school after a 14-day quarantine.
On Wednesday, the district also announced that all international school field trips planned for spring break are cancelled.
• READ MORE: Chilliwack school district cancels all international trips due to COVID-19
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