Strang urges youth to get vaccinated, says return-to-school plan coming soon

Nova Scotia's top doctor is urging parents to get their children vaccinated before school starts, and says a return-to-school plan is coming from Public Health officials and the Education Department.

Students go back to school on Sept. 7, which is just four weeks away. In a letter to parents Wednesday, Dr. Robert Strang suggested parents should consider bumping up their children's appointments.

"We all need two doses of the vaccine to be fully protected, and it takes two weeks after your second dose to have full immunity," he said.

About 69per cent of Nova Scotia'stotal population currentlyhas two doses, while 76per cent have at least one dose.

Before the province can move into the fifth phase of its reopening plan, 75 per cent of thepopulation must have two doses.

No Atlantic Canadian province hasreleased a back-to-school plan yet, but they are promised soon. Several other provinces and territories have announced their plans for the upcoming year, including:

• Ontario:Staff and students Grade 1 and up must wear masks in indoor settings, with exceptions such as during meal breaks and low-contact physical activities.Team sports, field trips and extracurricular activities will be back on, along with assemblies and recess. Vaccination will not be required for staff or students. Remote learning will still be available for students who want to continue learning from home.
  
• Quebec:Students will only be required to wear masks in common areas of schools this fall. Teachers will not be required to wear masks if they can maintain a two-metre distance, and students will no longer need to stay in their classroom bubbles throughout the day. Sports and other activities will be permitted, though avaccination passportcould be required in some cases.
  
• Manitoba:Extracurricular activities like sports and music programs will return, and masks will no longer be required for students or staff. Class cohorts will be scrapped for students above Grade 6 but school buses will continue to have assigned seating and there will be staggered recesses. Remote learning will still be available as well.