Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Adam Donnelly

COVID-19

Spring break business as usual for many camps in Kamloops, but organizers are exercising extra caution

Mar 13, 2020 | 5:11 PM

KAMLOOPS — Next week is spring break for over 14,000 students all across School District 73. However, with the threat of COVID-19 causing event cancellations and travel restrictions across the globe the school district is taking precautions and making contingency plans.

For many families, spring break has historically been a great chance to get away for a week or two and mentally prepare for the final stretch of the school year. However, this year, travel outside the province isn’t recommended.

“We’re recommending to staff and students to follow the Provincial health officer guideline to limit travel outside of British Columbia,” SD73 Assistant Superintendent Trish Smillie explained. “As well, when staff or students return from out of country travel, that they self-isolate for 14 days.”

Earlier this week, the district announced that all overseas school trips involving students had been cancelled due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Here at home, many significant events have been cancelled or postponed, but some of the spring break camps are still going ahead.

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“It kinda will be business as usual over spring break,” BC Wildlife Park GM Glenn Grant explained. “We will be open every day. We do have kids camp scheduled. The days are limited to 12 children, so it’s a small gathering.”

Grant says staff has been briefed about extra precautionary measures when it comes to cleaning common areas. Because the Wildlife Park covers an ample, outdoor space, he says staying open gives families a low-risk option when it comes to recreation.

“We’re taking the threat very seriously, and we will disinfect things as required,” Grant explained. “We have a lot of space at the park, so we do have an opportunity for people to disperse and not be in close proximity to others.”

In speaking with other spring break camp organizers, they’re all saying the same thing: they’re taking extra precautions and monitoring the situation closely, but it’s business as usual for spring break.

As for students and staff returning to school after spring break, Smillie says the district will continue to monitor the situation and will follow the province’s lead.

“At this time in British Columbia, we’ve been advised we will not be closing schools,” Smillie explained. “We’ll take our direction from the Ministry of Education, as they analyze this evolving situation with a provincial health officer.”