March 6, 2020
Re: International Travel Over Spring Break
Spring vacation is just around the corner and we know that many of you take this opportunity to travel and experience new things throughout the district closure week and spring break week. As the world deals with the rapidly changing situation around the spread of COVID-19, we wanted to take a moment and address our procedures for anyone, staff or students and families, who are travelling out of country.
We are closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation and adhering to the recommendations of our Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, the Ministries of Health and Education and the Government of Canada.
If your travel plans include any of the countries which currently have a ‘Level 3’ travel health notice from the Government of Canada (China, Iran, Italy) we will be reinforcing the recommendation of the 14-day self-isolation and ask that you not come to school. We will do our best to ensure that support or materials can be provided to you or your family if this is the situation.
If your travel plans include any of the countries which currently have a ‘Level 2’ travel health notice from the Government of Canada (Japan or South Korea) we will be reinforcing the recommendations of 14-day self-monitoring upon your return. This monitoring includes watching for signs of cough, fever, or difficulty breathing. If you notice these, you are asked to stay home from school and call your health care provider.
As this situation is rapidly changing there may be other countries added to ‘Level 2’ or ‘Level 3’ travel health notices, additional recommendations from the Provincial Health Officer, or more overall information on COVID-19. We ask that you continue to monitor the travel health advisories over the holidays if you are travelling. We hope that you will be in conversation with your principals regarding your travel plans in order for us to ensure the safety of all our students and support you, or your families, if a need arises.
As a school community we are adjusting the cleaning of our schools as recommended and will continue to teach and reinforce good handwashing and respiratory etiquette as classes resume after the break. Please continue to do your part and reinforce this behaviour during this time off.
I have included a list of resources below for you to help with your monitoring of this ongoing situation.
Thank you for your time and understanding,
Robyn Gray
Superintendent
Cowichan Valley School District
Resources:
Government of Canada Travel Health Notices:
https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/health-safety/travel-health-notices
Government of Canada Travel Advice and Advisories:
https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories
Kids and COVID-19 a resource:
http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/coronavirus-(novel)#For–schools–and–childcare
CBC Kids and Provincial Health Officer video on COVID-19:
https://www.cbc.ca/kidsnews/post/watch-coronavirus-facts-versus-fiction
BC Centre for Disease Control COVID-19:
http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/coronavirus-(novel)
COVID-19 Q&A from HealthLinkBC:
https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-feature/coronavirus
Click here for Letter to Parents
Click here for Letter to Staff