A target date of Monday, January 24 has been set for the return to in-class instruction for students under the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District (NLESD).
The Department of Education will continue to work with public health officials to monitor the risk level, and final confirmation of this targeted return date will occur on Wednesday, January 19. A key component of this plan to return in-class instruction is the use of COVID-19 rapid test kits for students, teachers, administrators and staff.
Distribution of rapid tests to schools is already underway, and kits will be rolled out to families and staff once a date to return is finalized, in advance of required testing. School administrators will provide information to parents and guardians on how to access their kits.
Prior to resumption of classes, all students, teachers and staff will be required to take two tests at home approximately 72 hours apart. If classes resume on Monday, January 24 as planned, the first test should be done on Friday, January 21 and the second on the morning of January 24.