Most Sask. school divisions plan to lift COVID-19 restrictions as province directed

As the Saskatchewan government prepares to begin lifting COVID-19 public health mandates, almost every school across the province has finalized plans to do the same.

In Regina, the city's public and Catholic divisions have chosen to drop the proof-of-vaccination or negative test requirement for anyone entering its buildings, starting on Monday.

"The school division continues to encourage all who are eligible, including students, to get vaccinated and/or to get their booster, when eligible," Regina Public Schools wrote in an update on its website Thursday, noting 98 per cent of its employees are fully immunized.

Both Regina's public and separate school divisions also intend to lift the masking requirement on March 1, like the province, but will continue to be "mask friendly environments" — as per the Ministry of Education's wishes. 

"Students, staff and visitors are encouraged to continue mask use for as long as they feel it is necessary, based on their own personal risk assessment," the Regina Catholic School Division wrote in an update to families Friday.

"We ask parents to engage in the conversation at home to honour and support the personal masking choices of students and staff."

A spokesperson for Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools said the division plans to share details about its updated COVID-19 protocols early next week.

Meanwhile, the Saskatoon Public School Division sent out a letter to parents and caregivers on Thursday, outlining changes parallel to those in other divisions. 

Saskatoon Public also pointed out that it's mindful of the province lifting the requirement for COVID-19-positive people to self-isolate.

"While some of our operations will be changing, we remain vigilant in our fight against COVID-19," the division said.

"Schools will still send students home if they are experiencing symptoms in class."

Similar letters were sent out across much of Saskatchewan — including in the Chinook School Division (Swift Current and area), the Horizon School Division (Humboldt and area), the South East Cornerstone Public School Division (Weyburn and area) and the Good Spirit School Division (Yorkton and area).

Some divisions tell CBC News they've fielded calls from families both pleased and disappointed in the changes since these announcements.

Quintin Robertson, the director of education for the Good Spirit School Division — which had to temporarily shut down its high school in Yorkton last month due to at least 70 COVID-19 cases — said that when he gets calls of concern he assures the caller there will still be safety protocols.