Students in Huron, Perth and Wellington are back in the classroom on Monday, February 8.
The Ontario government made the announcement Wednesday.
Schools in Toronto, Peel, and York regions will reopen February 16.
Minister of Education, Stephen Lecce, made the announcement Wednesday. “With the full support of the Chief Medical Officer of Health [Dr. David Williams], and with the unanimous support of all local Medical Officers of Health, Ontario is ready to reopen schools because it is safe.”
Minister Lecce noted the government has introduced new measures in place to protect students and staff from the virus.
These include;
-Province wide access to asymptomatic testing for staff and students,
-Mandatory masking requirement for students in Grades 1 to 3,
-Enhanced screening for secondary students and staff
-Providing high quality cloth masks to schools as back-up supply
-Temporary certification of eligible teacher candidates who are set to graduate in 2021 to aid with low staff levels
“I want to be clear that safety is what has and what will drive our decisions every step of the way. We will not put your child and your family at risk”, said Minister Lecce.
Local public heath units still maintain the authority to close schools for in person learning if they feel it is required to protect their communities.
Schools on Bruce and Grey were part of a group that re-opened January 25.
