by Education Minister Zach Churchill says school gyms will gradually reopen to community groups for physical activity and sports.
Churchill made the announcement this morning after groups complained about gyms being closed at 6:00 in the evening because of COVID-19.
Churchill says the province is using $5.5 million from the federal Safe Return to Class Fund to allow gyms to open longer.
Regional centres for education will use the money to hire extra staff to make sure community access is restricted to school gyms and washrooms.
There will also be extra cleaning in gyms after a community sporting activity.
The province says rental fees for school gyms are being waived for this school year.