New measures are in place to better protect students and staff at Ontario schools.
Education Minister Stephen Lecce says one of the main changes is on-site confirmation of self-screening.
“Where now mandating it for all schools in this province. Elementary, High School and staff. To ensure that active screening is strengthened given the importance of identifying cases before they come to school and not letting them into our school if they have any symptoms at all.”
Lecce says another measure is, “An expansion of asymptomatic testing to include testing during the break in all pharmacies and assessment centres for asymptomatic purposes. Before that didn’t exist. You had to be symptomatic to go to an assessment centre.”
He is encouraging parents, students, teachers, and school staff to get tested the week of April 12-18.
To book an appointment at a pharmacy visit Pharmacy Bookings
Other measures include:
-Refresher training on COVID health and safety protocols for students and staff upon return from April break
-Encouraging outdoor instruction when possible
-Enhanced clearing during the April break
-Curriculum-linked activities for students
-Letter to parents promoting best practices for a safe April break
Lecce says, “In addition, beginning next week, education workers who provide direct support to students with special education needs across the province will be eligible to register for vaccination.
He stresses these are preventative measures as Ontario schools are among the safest in Canada.
“98.3% of our schools are open. 99.8% of students do not have an active case of COVID. 99.7% of staff do not have an active case of COVID.”
Lecce is resisting calls for a return to virtual learning stressing students deserve to learn in the classroom.
Meantime, all classes are now back in session at schools in the Keewatin-Patricia School District.
Evergreen School in Kenora is being allowed to reopen a shuttered classroom Friday after a two week shutdown due to a student testing positive for COVID-19.
Dryden High School fully reopened Wednesday.
Today is the last day of school before the one week Spring Break.
