All elementary and secondary students in Windsor-Essex will be learning from home as of next week.
Windsor-Essex Medical Officer of Health Dr. Wajid Ahmed announced Thursday afternoon that all students will switch to a remote learning model next week, to address a rise in COVID-19 cases in the region.
"I am issuing a Section 22 order under the Health Protection and Promotion Act, that requires all elementary and secondary school students to transition to online or remote learning effective Monday, December 14," said Ahmed. "This order will be in place for one week from December 14 to 18, which will bring students into the school holiday break. An extension of this order may be considered based on COVID-19 epidemiological data for Windsor and Essex County."
School buildings will be closed to all in-person learning, along with before and after-school programs.
Schools will still be open to staff, and those buildings that have full-day childcare only will stay open.
In-person classes are set to resume on Monday, January 4, 2021, but Ahmed said the order could be extended based on the latest epidemiological data.
