It’s official. Schools won’t be reopening in 2019-2020.
Premier Doug Ford made the announcement Tuesday afternoon.
“I’m just not going to risk it. This wasn’t an easy decision to make but it was the right decision. We’ve made the decision to put our kids safety first.”
Ford adds “At home learning will continue. All students from Grades K to 12 will receive their report cards. We are doing everything possible to make sure our students have the opportunity to graduate this year.”
He notes before the end of June they will be announcing their plan for the return to school in September.
Education Minister Stephen Lecce says “Following advise from the Chief Medical Officer of Health, licensed childcare centres and EarlyON programs will also remain closed through this Stage One, the stage we are in today. Emergency childcare will continue for healthcare and for front-line workers during this period.”
Lecce adds “We will gradually reopen childcare as part of Stage 2 once it is safe to do so. We will reopen childcare with strict health protocols to keep our youngest learners safe.”
The government says “Assuming trends in key public health indicators continue to improve, summer day camps, both indoor and outdoor, may be permitted in July and August of this year with strict health and safety guidelines to be developed in partnership with local public health, the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development, and municipalities. Overnight camps will not be permitted to operate in the summer of 2020.”
