​Orange Phase Requirements

The following details the changes in directives that will take place in a school when a region of the province has been placed in an Orange Alert Level. This document supplements the Return to school: Direction for school districts and schools as well as the COVID-19 Guidance for Early Learning and Childcare Facilities.

Travel Between Orange and Yellow Zones

Everyone travelling between Orange and Yellow alert zones must self-monitor and wear a mask for 14 days and must follow directives in accordance with the Mandatory Order as if they were in the Orange Phase. This applies to travelling professionals, supply teachers, school personnel and students, and employees of early learning and childcare facilities and children attending early learning and childcare facilities. This only applies to the individual who has travelled and does not apply to other members of the same household. It is recommended that members of the household self-monitor and get tested if they develop symptoms of COVID-19.

Orange Phase: Public Schools Mask Use

• Students in Grades K-12 are required to wear a mask on a school bus, even when sitting alone or with a member of the same household.

• Students in Grades K-8 are required to wear a mask at all times at school, except when students are sitting at a desk working silently, eating, or engaged in sports activities during physical education class. This includes when the students are outside.

• Students in Grades 9-12 are required to wear a mask at all times at school, except when students are eating, engaged in sports activities or during physical education class. This includes when the students are outside.

• School personnel are required to wear a mask at all times at school, except when they are eating or sitting alone in their closed office or classroom. This includes when school personnel are outside.

Changes in Directives for Early Learning and Childcare Facilities and Schools Nov. 19, 2020

Music Education and Activities

The use of wind instruments and singing are not permitted in an Orange Alert Level. Extra-curricular music activities, such as SISTEMA, theatre, choir and band, are not permitted.

Physical Education and Sports Activities

• Activities that are conducive to physical distancing, such as yoga, dancing and moderate walking, are recommended. It is also recommended that shared equipment not be made available for common use.

• Interscholastic, extra-curricular and intramural sport activities will be limited to practices and/or skills and drills within a single team.

Immunocompromised Students and Staff

Students and school personnel who are immunocompromised should contact their health care provider for direction. Distance learning plans will be put in place. The IWK has defined immunocompromised as being a person who:

·         is having chemotherapy currently or have within the last 6 months

·         is having radiation therapy

·         has received a bone marrow transplant in the last year or Graft Versus Host Disease

·         is a recipient of a solid organ transplant

·         has sickle cell disease

·         has a spleen that does not work

·         has a genetic cause for immune dysfunction

·         has HIV/AIDS

·         is taking immunosuppressive medication

·         has other history of immune suppression, as defined by a Physician.​

ORANGE LEVEL FINAL.pdf