Skip to Main content

15.72°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Dec 30, 2021 2:24 AM - The Canadian Press

B.C. delays return to class for most students until Jan. 10 over COVID concerns

Share On

b-c-delays-return-to-class-for-most-students-until-jan-10-over-covid-concerns

B.C.'s provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry during a news conference in Victoria. (Photo - B.C. Govt.)

British Columbia is delaying the full return to classrooms in January to allow public health officials to assess the impact of the COVID-19 Omicron variant and give school staff time to implement enhanced safety measures.

Education Minister Jennifer Whiteside says staff and students whose parents are health workers, as well as those who need extra support, will return to schools Jan. 3 or 4.

All other students will return to classrooms Jan. 10.

Whiteside says enhanced safety measures will include the cancellation of extracurricular sports and plans to control crowding at schools, such as through staggered recess and break times.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced the order for a phased school restart today as B.C. recorded 2,944 new COVID-19 cases.

Dr. Henry says five more people have died in the past five days and 193 people are in hospital, including 66 in critical care.

Latest news

alberta-referendum-danielle-smith-votes-to-stay-in-canada-seeks-support-for-remaining-nine-questions

AlbertaOct 15, 2026

Alberta Referendum: Danielle Smith Votes to Stay in Canada, Seeks Support for Remaining Nine Questions

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has voted in favour of staying in Canada in the province’s ongoing separation referendum, while urging the public to support the remaining nine questions, including those related to immigration. In a video posted on social media, Smith said that although many Albertans are frustrated with the federal government, these issues can be addressed while remaining part of Canada. The ballot contains 10 questions. The first asks whether Alberta should remain in Canada or move towards a referendum on separation. The other nine questions focus on immigration, constitutio

canadian-fisheries-minister-to-visit-china-amid-uncertainty-over-seafood-tariffs

CanadaOct 15, 2026

Canadian Fisheries Minister to Visit China Amid Uncertainty Over Seafood Tariffs

Canadian Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson will visit China later this month, her office confirmed Thursday, as a deadline approaches for Chinese tariffs affecting Canada’s lobster and crab industries. China imposed an additional 25 per cent tariff on Canadian seafood in 2025 in retaliation for Canada’s tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, steel and aluminum. However, during Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to China in January this year, the two countries reached an agreement under which Beijing temporarily suspended the additional tariffs until December 31, 2026. With the deadline a

AlbertaOct 15, 2026

Alberta Referendum Sees Record 174,532 Advance Votes on First Day

A record 174,532 voters cast their ballots on the first day of advance voting in Alberta’s referendum, signalling strong voter interest in the province-wide vote. According to Elections Alberta, Tuesday’s turnout was significantly higher than the average of 151,000 daily voters recorded during previous general elections. Long queues forced around 20 polling stations across the province to remain open several hours beyond their scheduled closing times, with some staying open until 11 p.m. The 10-question referendum, initiated by Premier Danielle Smith’s government, covers major issues inc

IndiaOct 15, 2026

Punjab Observes Complete Shutdown Over Parvinder Jhota’s Murder

Punjab observed a complete shutdown today in protest against the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Jhota. Government and private schools remained closed across the state, while public and private bus services were also suspended. Police set up barricades at several locations to stop people from travelling towards Mansa. Leaders of various organisations were detained as protests and demonstrations against the government took place in different cities. Several toll plazas across Punjab were also made toll-free, including the Ladowal Toll Plaza, where members of the Waris Punjab De organisat

bc-election-debate-heats-up-eby-faces-criticism-over-economy-and-healthcare

BC Election Debate Heats Up, Eby Faces Criticism Over Economy and Healthcare

The leaders of British Columbia’s three major political parties, Lorne Doerkson, David Eby and Emily Lowan, faced off in a live debate on Wednesday night ahead of the October 24 provincial election. Opposition leaders launched sharp attacks on Eby’s BC NDP government, criticizing its record on the economy, healthcare and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA). Eby acknowledged that his government had not been perfect on every issue but defended his decision to call a snap election. He said his government’s one-seat majority had led the opposition to make 13 attem

Related News

BC Election Debate Heats Up, Eby Faces Criticism Over Economy and Healthcare

BC Election Debate Heats Up, Eby Faces Criticism Over Economy and Healthcare

The leaders of British Columbia’s three major political parties, Lorne Doerkson, David Eby and Emily Lowan, faced off in a live debate on Wednesday night ahead of the October 24 provincial election. Opposition leaders launched sharp attacks on Eby’s BC NDP government, criticizing its record on the economy, healthcare and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA). Eby acknowledged that his government had not been perfect on every issue but defended his decision to call a snap election. He said his government’s one-seat majority had led the opposition to make 13 attem

Trump Says Canada Has No Choice but to Become 51st U.S. State

Trump Says Canada Has No Choice but to Become 51st U.S. State

U.S. President Donald Trump has once again made provocative remarks about Canada amid the ongoing trade war between the two countries, claiming that Canada will eventually have no choice but to become the 51st U.S. state. Speaking at a campaign rally in Bullhead City, Arizona, on Wednesday evening, Trump accused Canada of repeatedly harming American interests. Raising the issue of dairy products, he alleged that Canada had imposed heavy tariffs on U.S. milk imports, claiming that America had been unfairly treated. Trump said the situation had changed under his leadership, arguing that the Unit

Third Victim Dies After Pickup Truck Crashes Into Crowd in Delta

Third Victim Dies After Pickup Truck Crashes Into Crowd in Delta

A 64-year-old woman, Gwenyth Brigit Dwyn, has died in hospital from injuries sustained when a pickup truck struck a crowd outside Tsawwassen Mills mall in Delta last month. Delta police confirmed her death on Wednesday, making her the third victim to die in the incident. The crash occurred on September 30, when a pickup truck drove into a crowd gathered to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Two elders from the Tsawwassen First Nation died at the scene, while Dwyn later succumbed to her injuries in hospital. A fourth injured person has been discharged from hospital and is recov

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital