Mar 10, 2020: Letter from the superintendent on spring break travel

Dear parents/guardians,

Since we are soon heading into spring break, I wanted to take a moment to highlight some important reminders about travel in the current context of COVID-19, as provided by provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Theresa Tam.

If you are planning an international trip with your family this spring break, please remember to monitor the Government of Canada travel site for the latest travel advisories at www.travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories. Dr. Henry notes COVID-19 is currently found in 80 countries, and advises there should be both a careful assessment of and a low tolerance for international travel. Dr. Tam, in the meantime, advises Canadians to avoid all cruise ship travel.

Those with underlying health issues should reconsider trips at this time.

Please also keep in mind that the availability of health care services in some areas may be limited and travel restrictions may be put in place suddenly. If you are going to travel abroad, consider registering with the Government of Canada at https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/registration. This free service enables you to receive important information before or during a natural disaster or civil unrest, and also allows government to notify you in case of an emergency abroad or a personal emergency at home.

Finally, Dr. Henry is asking all travellers returning from Iran and China to self-isolate for 14 days upon their return to Canada. All other travellers who are returning to, or visiting, B.C. from outside Canada should monitor themselves and their children closely for symptoms. If symptoms arise, returned travellers should limit their contact with others and call 811.

The school district will continue to publish all COVID-19 updates to the district website at https://www.sd42.ca/information-community-coronavirus/. Any updates we receive from Fraser Health, we will also send directly to families through the parent portal.

Sincerely,

Sylvia Russell
Superintendent