Quebec Just Released A Revised Back-To-School Plan

In a press release published Wednesday, Education ministers Jean-François Roberge and Isabelle Charest released a revised Quebec back-to-school plan, including new guidance for mask-wearing and a plan to require the vaccine passport for "high risk" extracurricular activities in high schools.

They also confirmed that in-person class attendance is coming back and that students would no longer have to practice distancing or stick to assigned class bubbles.

Masks will be required in school common areas and while moving through school buildings, as well as on school buses, for primary and secondary school students.

In a tweet, Roberge said there would be assigned seating on school transport.

School staff will have to wear masks in the same situations but can take them off in other contexts if they can maintain a 2-metre distance from others or if there are physical barriers between individuals.

Extracurricular activities will be back, but the government says the vaccine passport will be required for high schoolers to participate in "high risk" activities, though it did not specify which.

Officials have previously said the vaccine passport could generally apply to team sports.

Finally, the government is launching a vaccination campaign in the school system and raised the possibility of vaccination clinics within schools, themselves, though the approach will vary by school, according to the press release.

The press released said there could be further tweaks to school rules if the situation changes.

"The new Delta variant, responsible for the observed increase in cases, is forcing us to adjust," Roberge said in a statement.

"As long as the situation requires it, we will have to adapt to ensure that our schools remain open and that our young people have the most normal school year possible."