COVID-19 close contact identification protocols changing in Manitoba schools

Public health and Manitoba education officials are changing protocols for how close contacts to COVID-19 cases in schools are identified and managed.

Public health and Manitoba education officials are changing protocols for how close contacts to COVID-19 cases in schools are identified and managed.

The government said the changes are being put in place to "address the impact of remote learning and self-isolation on the safety and mental and physical health of students."

Moving forward, health officials will consider several factors when determining isolation requirements, such as vaccination status and the use of masks.

Dana Rudy, the deputy minister of Manitoba Education, said data on wearing masks will be tracked to help public health.

"This year, school leaders will be asked to record as part of their data collection whether students or staff were consistently wearing masks during the period of exposure," said Rudy.

She added public health officials will be the ones making the decisions but with more information, they can act quicker and prevent further spread.

Self-isolation for close contacts is also changing as those individuals will now only be required to isolate for 10 days, which is down from the 14-day period. Testing will be recommended on day seven.