No masks or distancing in CEGEP, university classes this fall: Mccann

Students returning to in-person classes at post-secondary institutions this fall won't have to wear masks or distance in class, Higher Education Minister Danielle Mccann announced Friday.

The government guidelines — announced a day after Premier François Legault confirmed a return to in-person schooling — include a set of measures for the entire province that can be tweaked at specific schools depending on vaccine coverage and the epidemiological situation in the region.

In places where additional measures will be required — which is currently very few, according to the government — the situation will be monitored weekly and schools will be notified once these measures can be lifted. Schools will also be expected to have a backup plan in place should the pandemic necessitate a return to remote learning.

The province's general plan says distancing will no longer be necessary in classes, but two metres should be maintained in fitness centres, between cafeteria tables and during certain activities, like singing. One metre of distance is desirable in common areas when possible.

Mask-wearing won't be required when students are seated in classes, libraries or when they're eating, but it will be required in all other scenarios. In regions where the epidemiological situation is of concern, mask-wearing will be required at all times (other than during meals).

Extracurricular activities (including sports) will be permitted, but for fully-vaccinated students only. More details will be unveiled when Quebec releases the parameters of its vaccination passport.

As of Thursday, 83.2 per cent of CEGEP students have received at least one dose of the COVID -19 shot and 57.8 per cent have received a second. For university students, 86.6 per cent have received a first dose and 68.5 per cent a second.