Students in Behchokǫ̀ can be back in class next Monday, as the Tłı̨chǫ Community Services Agency (TCSA) has announced it will be re-opening schools.
The announcement comes after Dr. Kami Kandola, NWT chief public health officer, said she would be lifting the school closure restrictions starting May 17.
The TCSA’s notice outlines several measures in place to try and prevent an outbreak like the one seen at N.J. Macpherson.
Cleaning high tough areas, classroom bubbles and masks in common areas “will continue and be adhered to strictly.”
Additional measures include no indoor assemblies, gym classes must be outside (weather permitting), no work in groups or pairs, assigned seating, and a few open windows when students are on the bus.
“The safety of students and staff are the top priority in re-opening schools,” reads the notice.
Any residents that have COVID-19 or are in the same house as someone who has received a positive test must complete their full self-isolation period before returning to school.
Additional information on testing before returning to school can be found here.
As of Thursday evening, there have been 64 total confirmed cases related to the N.J. Macpherson outbreak — about 90 per cent of them being youth — 44 of those have recovered.
