New Brunswick announced Tuesday that students will be able to participate in sports, extracurricular activities and physical education during the upcoming school year by following guidelines by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.
In a statement, the province said the use of outdoor spaces will be encouraged.
“Students will be permitted to use the gymnasium or other spaces within their school, provided they wash or sanitize their hands upon entering and leaving the space.”
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The province also noted that face masks will not be required during physical education classes or while students are engaged in play during a sporting event.
Students in kindergarten through Grade 8 will participate in physical education within their class grouping, or bubble, which allows them not to physically distance during class.
But students will still be encouraged to use hygiene and to reduce physical contact. Sporting equipment may also be shared within the class grouping, according to the department of education.
The province is recommending that high school students keep at least one metre of physical distance throughout physical education, as they would in their other classes.
Students participating in school clubs will also be required to follow physical-distancing guidelines.
“Whenever possible, it is recommended meetings take place virtually, for example student governance meetings or chess clubs,” the province said.
In the coming weeks, guidelines for music education and music-related extracurricular activities, including band and choir, will also be shared so that families and students are informed.
When it comes to competitive sporting events, the province announced that all students should be limited to subdivisions of a school district or to a small region to allow play while limiting contact across regions.
“Carpooling will be discouraged, and participants should arrive ready for the event, including with any necessary equipment,” said the province.
A list of all participants, including coaches, players and volunteers, will be kept for any events, and the province encourages that they be held to a reasonable number.
A maximum of 50 spectators will be allowed in outdoor settings and spectators must practise physical distancing.
“No spectators will be permitted for events held inside the school, although virtual options are encouraged if possible.”