New Brunswick Minister of Education Dominic Cardy and Minister of Health Dorothy Shephard unveiled new provincial plans for schools and child-care facilities now that the Omicron variant is in New Brunswick. The plans for early learning and child care will come into effect on Dec. 20 and the plans for schools will come into effect when school resumes on Jan. 10.

“As we face many unknown factors in light of the Omicron variant, we have reviewed our approach and guidelines for schools and child-care facilities to ensure they are able to address this rapidly evolving situation,” said Minister Cardy. “With Public Health, we have developed plans aimed at keeping our children and young people healthy, safe and learning within the classroom to the greatest extent possible throughout the winter months.”

The full plan can be found on the Government of New Brunswick's website.

“To date, 14 cases have been confirmed as the Omicron variant and we are awaiting confirmation of several other tests,” said Shephard. “However, seeing what is happening in other jurisdictions, we know there will be many more cases of the variant.”

The province also recently unveiled a Winter Plan 2022 to coincide with the school plan. 

“These steps are necessary to reduce the spread of Omicron and other variants as much as possible and to protect our health-care system, as keeping our hospitals from becoming overwhelmed is crucial,” said Premier Blaine Higgs. “At the same time, we are trying to find balance, so businesses are impacted minimally during a busy time of year and New Brunswickers are able to spend time with their loved ones celebrating the holiday season.”