NDP Education Critic Sarah Hoffman. (rdnewsNOW file photo)

By rdnewsNOW Staff

Call To Action

NDP calls for early warning system for potential school closures, reinstatement of contact tracing

Sep 23, 2021 | 9:38 AM

Alberta’s NDP is calling for the reinstatement of contact tracing in schools and an early warning system for potential school closures.

Doing so will allow parents to know the prevalence of COVID-19 in schools and prepare ahead of time for any potential closure, according to NDP Education Critic Sarah Hoffman.

“These are incredibly anxious times in Alberta schools, for students, staff, and families,” said Hoffman, in a press release Wednesday. “Thousands of Albertans are infected with COVID-19 every week, our hospitals are overwhelmed, and the UCP government seems more focused on their own political drama than on keeping people safe.”

Based on government data, there are 4,952 active cases among school-age Albertans today, say Party officials. Adding, that is almost double the number of cases in that age group than there were when schools were closed for the second wave. It is also close to the number of cases in that age group when schools were closed in the third wave, according to Party officials.

NDP officials note that the UCP government had initially planned to end testing, tracing, and isolation requirements this summer. While many of those requirements were eventually restored due to public outcry, contact tracing in schools was not.

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“I don’t want Alberta schools to be closed. But if we reach a point where that must happen to keep people safe, it can’t be another surprise. This throws everyone into chaos, especially working families,” added Hoffman.

“We need leadership from the provincial government. And we need to give parents more information so they can plan,” stated Hoffman.