All local school boards will be switching to remote learning starting Wednesday for at least two weeks.
A release issued by the UGDSB Monday evening said that it has been notified by Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health that Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Nicola Mercer will issue an order, directing all schools within the WDG region to shift to remote learning effective Wednesday.
"As such, all UGDSB schools will close to in-person learning and will shift to remote learning effective Wednesday April 7 to Sunday April 18, 2021, with the possibility of an extension, if the local COVID-19 situation warrants it," says the release.
"Under this order, ALL UGDSB students will shift to remote learning, including students in specialized DD class placements."
On Tuesday students are to attend school in person and technology for remote learning will be provided to students that require it, says the UGDSB.
The modified spring break scheduled from April 12-16 will continue as planned.
Later Monday evening Public Health issued a press release:
"Today, Dr. Nicola Mercer – Medical Officer of Health and CEO of WDG Public Health – met with the Directors of Education for school boards within Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph to discuss the troubling rise in cases of COVID-19 among children. Dr. Mercer – supported by all five local school boards – has decided to issue a Section 22 Order under the Health Protection and Promotion Act
"The Order directs all schools within Upper Grand District School Board, Wellington Catholic District School Board, Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, Conseil scolaire Viamonde, Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir located within Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph to cease in-person learning effective Wednesday, April 7, 2021. Schools would be eligible to return to in-person learning no sooner than Monday, April 19, 2021. This order does not impact childcare located in schools.
“I wish this step was not required,” said Dr. Mercer. “I know the tremendous burden this places on families in our region. The growing number of cases across the province and the severity of the COVID-19 variants of concern places all of us at risk.
“We continue to take aggressive steps on COVID-19 vaccinations; that is the only way out of this pandemic,” said. “Until we reach significant levels of vaccination, we remain at risk. I urge people to continue to follow public health guidelines.”
