BREAKING: Ontario schools will remain closed until September
- Michael Kras
- 02 Jun 2021
The Ontario government has officially announced that schools across the province will remain shuttered for in-person learning until the fall.
The decision comes following weeks of deliberation and consultation with public health experts, some of whom have publicly supported a return to in-person learning at school for the final few weeks of the semester to aid the social and mental wellbeing of Ontario youth.
BREAKING: Premier Doug Ford confirms schools will not reopen to in-class learning in June. Online till September.
“As your premier, these aren’t risks I am willing to take,” Ford says. #onpoli#onted#COVID19— Robert Benzie (@robertbenzie) June 2, 2021
Premier Doug Ford made the announcement from Queen’s Park on Wednesday afternoon, adding that the continued third wave of the pandemic – which is being driven by more contagious and more dangerous COVID-19 variants – remains too risky for a return to in-person learning, even as daily case counts fall in the province.
Ford added that delaying the return of in-person learning to September allows for teachers and eligible students ages 12 and over to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 ahead of the new school year.
“At a time when our top priority is putting the third wave behind us so that we can safely enter Step One of our Roadmap to Reopen, we can’t risk increased cases and potential downstream impacts on hospitals and ICUs,” said Premier Ford.
“Making this tough decision now will allow kids to safely enjoy camps and outdoor activities this summer, and a safe return to school in September.”
Additionally, in hopes of adding a bright spot to a dark year, plans for students and teachers to gather safely and distantly in COVID-safe outdoor settings for end-of-year graduation ceremonies are underway, with further details to come.
Read the full release here.
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