Ontario Schools Will Delay Reopening For In-Person Learning Until Later Next Week

The Ontario government just announced that schools will be returning for in-person learning this January despite the province's rising number of COVID-19 cases.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kieran Moore announced in a press conference on Thursday that the province is delaying the return of students to January 5, instead of the original back-to-school date of January 3, to give schools more time to respond to new public health measures.

The Ontario government says in-person learning is "critical to the positive mental health and academic success of students" and that additional safety measures will be put into place, according to a press release.

The Ontario government has updated the COVID-19 screening for students and is "asking students, parents and staff for rigorous screening and monitoring of symptoms" ahead of the return to school.

Non-fit-tested N95 masks will be provided to any staff in schools or other licensed child care settings who wish to use one as an alternative to their regular mask. A supply of three-ply cloth masks will also be free and available for students starting in January.

Additionally, further ventilation measures will be taken to make schools safer, PCR testing eligibility will continue for symptomatic staff and students, and over 2,000 additional staff are projected to be hired, including teachers, mental health workers and custodians.

Also beginning in January, the COVID-19 reporting requirements will be updated for school boards and child care, and indoor low-contact sports and activities will be temporarily permitted.

The decision of whether or not to continue schooling in person came with a lot of public opinions. Recently, hundreds of Ontario doctors signed an open letter addressing Premier Doug Ford, Dr. Moore and Minister of Education Stephen Lecce, pleading that the Ontario government keep schools open for the wellness of children.

The daily COVID-19 case count in Ontario broke the all-time record for the fifth time in just over a week on December 30, with cases reaching an all-new high of 13,807, according to the Ontario government.

This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.