NSTU statement on new Public Health measures

September 29, 2021

NSTU statement on new Public Health measures

* The following statement is from NSTU President Paul Wozney

(Halifax-Kjipuktuk, NS) — The NSTU has strongly encouraged members to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and agrees in principle with the proposed vaccine policy announced today for school staff. There are certain details from the policy that have yet to be developed, and we are looking forward to engaging with Government and Public Health over the coming days to gain more clarity.

We are also pleased that mandatory masking will remain in place inside schools and that rapid testing kits will be provided to students. We are similarly encouraged that public reporting of COVID-19 cases in schools resumed yesterday.

With rising case numbers in schools and within the population of children who are ineligible to get vaccinated, clarity about what triggers additional Public Health measures in the buildings where students gather to learn each day is of paramount importance. Parents, teachers and school staff have worked extremely hard to keep their students and children safe, and they want to make sure the appropriate steps are being taken. Public Health needs to proactively outline the standards it is using to determine additional protections to keep parents, students and staff from losing confidence in the safety of schools.

Schools remain the largest daily gathering of unvaccinated Nova Scotians. It only makes sense to provide them with extra protections that exceed what’s required in the community at large. We want to thank Government and Public Health for their ongoing efforts to keep Nova Scotians safe during this pandemic and look forward to continuing a positive dialogue with them in the best interest of students and their teachers.