Dr. Deena Hinshaw over the weekend, students will not be required to distance from one another when seated in their desks in classrooms when they return to school this week.The order, which outlines measures meant to prevent the spread of COVID-19, was released this weekend without notice and says that “an operator of a school does not need to ensure that students, staff members and visitors are able to maintain a minimum of two metres distance from every other person when a student, staff member or visitor is seated at desk or table.” Symptoms, confirmed cases and outbreaks: How Alberta plans to handle COVID-19 in schools It also specifies that the distancing does not need to be maintained between students who are within a classroom.