School divisions in Saskatoon and Regina react to self-isolation changes

Changes to Saskatchewan’s COVID-related self-isolation requirements mean changes are coming in the province’s schools.

Under the changes, close contacts no longer have to self-isolate regardless of their vaccination status, and parents no longer have to inform schools when their child tests positive for COVID-19.

As well, people who get a positive result from a PCR or rapid antigen test will have to self-isolate for five days regardless of their vaccination status. Previously, unvaccinated people had to isolate for 10 days after a positive test.

In the hours after the Saskatchewan government made its announcement Thursday, the largest school divisions in the province’s two largest cities announced alterations to the way they handle and report COVID cases.

Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools went the furthest with its announced moves, saying any classes that currently are online will return to in-class learning Monday.

Regina Public Schools suggested a similar change may be in the offing, noting “the criteria for future decisions to transition a class or a school to temporary remote learning are subject to change and will be communicated with school families.”

Regina’s public division, which has been issuing a daily list of schools where positive cases had been reported, said that practice may change. But Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools, Saskatoon Public Schools and the Regina Catholic School Division all announced their schools won’t be sending out notifications about positive cases anymore.

“Without the requirement for close contacts to self-isolate, notification of being a close contact is no longer required,” the Saskatoon Catholic division said on its website. “As schools will no longer be notified of cases, schools will not have accurate information to pass along to families.”

In a letter sent to Saskatoon Public Schools families, director of education Shane Skjerven said the government’s decision to change isolation requirements means “our communication process for positive cases will be dissolved.”

“Without a requirement to report positive cases to schools, our school division cannot accurately track this information and report it to the school community,” Skjerven wrote.

“First and foremost, the intent of sharing positive cases was to inform individuals who would be considered close contacts and share pertinent information regarding isolation. This communication is no longer necessary.”

All of the school divisions reiterated that safety protocols remain in place and that any students or staff who aren’t feeling well should stay home. The organizations also encouraged students and staff to take rapid antigen tests to detect positive cases.

“If your child tests positive for COVID-19, please report them as sick to your school,” Skjerven’s letter said.

“With the heavy presence of the Omicron variant in our community, our schools may continue to experience disruptions to operations. If any disruptions occur, impacted families will be informed as soon as possible.”