The Superintendent for the Hanover School Division says she is not surprised schools in her jurisdiction have been moved to level red on the Pandemic Response System but is surprised that it happened so soon.

Just two days ago, Amos was marveling at the fact that attendance rates were stable, teachers were adapting to new processes, and a positive transmission between students at a Hanover school had not occurred even once. With things trending in an optimistic direction, news of the change was somewhat unexpected. That being said, Amos notes the fact that the test-positivity rates in Steinbach and Hanover were 40% and 30% respectively was also unexpected.

ea.”

New red restrictions have all students learning from home with the exeption of Kindergarten to grade 6 students who are children of critical service workers who cannot make alternative arrangements. In a critical or red response, schools are also required to accommodate children over 12 years old if their parent is a critical service worker who requires care and the child has a disability that orecludes them form being able to stay home independently. While these changes may be tedious to staff and students alike, Amos says she respects the authority of Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin who was instrumental in making the call.

“If that is what he feels is best for our community to be able to lower the transmission, get back to a safer place, and get our kids back in class, then I am in favor of following that.”