Elementary and secondary schools in Ontario will be moving to remote learning following the April break.
Premier Doug Ford made the announcement this afternoon, in response to the rapid increase in COVID-19 cases, the increasing risks posed to the public by COVID-19 variants, and the massive spike in hospital admissions.
Ford says the online learning system is now up-and-running.
With some questioning the timing of the decision, Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. David Williams, says this was the right time.
Child care for non-school aged children will remain open, before and after school programs will be closed and free emergency child care for the school-aged children of eligible health care and frontline workers will be provided.
Boards will make provisions for continued in-person support for students with special education needs who require additional support that cannot be accommodated through remote learning.
With students moving to remote learning, vaccine prioritization of education workers who provide direct support to students with special education needs across the province, and all education workers in select hot spot areas, starting with Peel and Toronto, will continue.
Starting today, special education workers across the province and education workers in Peel and Toronto hot spots will be eligible to register for vaccination by calling the provincial vaccine booking line.
