As the province records its second highest daily COVID-19 case count, the provincial government decides to move schools online once again. This will begin after the April break, and effect elementary and secondary school students. In a press conference this afternoon, Premier Doug Ford stressed that schools have not been a significant factor in the spread of the virus, but stated being proactive will prevent cases from being recorded.
“We know the more COVID spreads in our community, the more likely it is to get into schools.” said Ford.
Premier Ford went on to mention the variants of concern pose a serious threat to the province, and that the worst has yet to come.
“I’m not ready to chance sending kids back to school when we haven’t even seen the peak with this variant.”
Education Minister Stephen Lecce has mentioned for some time now that schools would remain open for in-person learning after the April Break. Lecce mirrored this belief as recently as yesterday in a letter to families.
As of 8 p.m. on Saturday, 3,139,743 vaccine doses were administered. Premier Ford has set a target of giving 40 per cent of the province’s eligible population their first COVID vaccine by the time the stay at home order concludes at the end of April.
While schools will be closed, child care for non-school age children will stay open. Premier Ford did not mention when the province can expect elementary and secondary students to return to in-person learning.
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