Top doc hints at Manitoba’s back-to-school plans

Manitoba’s top doctor gave few hints about what school may look like in the fall Monday but said the full plan will likely come out next week.

“We know the return to school is so important – our goal is really to get the kids back to school … as normal as possible this fall,” said Dr. Brent Roussin, the province’s chief health officer.

Currently, there are no plans for mandatory vaccinations for teachers and students, he said.

He added that more details will be released on the plan shortly but the recommendation is for anyone who is eligible to be vaccinated, should get the shot.

1:49 Manitoba vaccine task force shifting gears

“The more people who are vaccinated around those who cannot be vaccinated, the safer it’ll be.”

Manitoba reported 11 new COVID-19 infections Monday, the lowest number since the fall. There were no new deaths reported. Manitoba’s COVID-19 death toll sits at 1,172 and, since March 2020, the province has reported 57,456 cases of the virus.

With case numbers dropping, Roussin hinted the next stage of reopening could come sooner than expected.

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Roussin did not say when restrictions would be loosened, but says vaccines are reducing the number of cases and the pressures on the health-care system.

–With files from The Canadian Press

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