COVID-19 Update

The COVID-19 virus pandemic has resulted in an unprecedented disruption to countries in all corners of the globe.  While Canada still considers the risk to be ‘low,’ public health and federal government directives have recently intensified to enable social distancing and prevent the spread of the virus by closing schools as well as many retail and recreational outlets, encouraging remote work arrangements and limiting gatherings of more than 50 people as examples.

K-12 public schools across the country are complying with all directives from federal and provincial health and education authorities resulting in all public schools across the country being closed at present, whether for a regularly scheduled spring break or by direction of their respective provincial governments. See list below for further details.

The travel of public school staff and students has been curtailed by the Government of Canada’s directive that all Canadians avoid all ‘non-essential’ travel and upon returning must self-quarantine for a minimum of 14 days.

As of today, March 16^th further measures were announced by our Prime Minister which has resulted in Canadian borders being closed to all but Canadian citizens/permanent residents (and immediate family of), Americans, diplomats and flight crews. Anyone exhibiting symptoms will not be permitted to travel.

Please be assured, that the health and wellness of international students currently enrolled in Canadian public schools continues to be a top priority for all of our members and that International Student Program staff remain available to provide the necessary support.

All CAPS-I member schools will continue to accept applications for September 2020 as they remain optimistic that the challenges being faced around the globe at present will be well behind us by then.

As the global COVID-19 outbreak continues to evolve, CAPS-I will continue to monitor the situation and provide the most up-to-date information available to support our members, partners, students and families around the globe.

Alberta - In-class instruction suspended through to end of June

British Columbia – Some in-class instruction in elementary schools to resume late May/early June.

Manitoba – In-class instruction suspended indefinitely

New Brunswick – In-class instruction suspended indefinitely

Newfoundland & Labrador – In-class instruction suspended through to end of June

Nova Scotia – In-class instruction suspended indefinitely

Ontario – In-class instruction suspended until May 31st.

Prince Edward Island – In-class instruction suspended indefinitely

Quebec - In-class instruction for elementary students outside the Montreal recommenced on May 11th. In the Montreal region, in-class instruction in elementary schools will be suspended until at least May 25th.  High schools are closed until September.

Saskatchewan – In-class instruction suspended indefinitely

For more information, consider the following resources:

Health Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html?utm_campaign=not-applicable&utm_medium=vanity-url&utm_source=canada-ca_coronavirus

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/service-delivery/coronavirus.html

Government of Canada – Travel Advisory: https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories

Special Measures to Help Temporary & Permanent Residents & Applicants Affected by COVID-19 https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/coronavirus-special-measures.html

WHO’s Mental Health Considerations: https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/mental-health-considerations.pdf?sfvrsn=6d3578af_2

For more information:

1-833-784-4397
canada.ca/coronavirus