Students heading back to schools in BC

Students are heading back to school in British Columbia today after a one-week delay caused by the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

The province has warned there may be functional closures due to staff illness and that COVID-19 exposure notices will no longer be sent unless there are significant dips in attendance.

The back-to-class plan also includes mandatory three-layer masking in indoor areas, staggered start and break times and measures to reduce crowding in common areas.

Despite an ongoing fifth wave of infections, provincial health officer Doctor Bonnie Henry has said schools need to remain open for the emotional, physical and intellectual well-being of children.