TORONTO: The Ontario government is introducing new measures to protect schools against COVID-19 which include refresher training, enhanced cleaning and asymptomatic testing.
As these new measures are being introduced, the government will begin offering registration for vaccinations to education workers during the spring break.
“Nothing is more important than keeping Ontario’s schools safe and open for students, staff and their families,” said Education Minister Stephen Lecce.
“Our students deserve a safe return to their classrooms on April 19 and we are committed to delivering on that.”
Dr. David Williams, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, has confirmed that schools remain safe. The new measures being introduced are intended to protect schools and communities against the spread of COVID-19 and include:
On-site confirmation of self-screening;
Refresher training upon return from April break;
Outdoor instruction when possible;
Enhanced cleaning during April break;
Curriculum-linked activities;
Letter to parents promoting best practices for a safe April break; and Asymptomatic testing expansion.
Expanded access to asymptomatic testing is available for students and staff at pharmacies that offer testing and in 180 assessment centers across the province for the week of April 12-18, 2021.
Beginning next week, education workers who provide direct support to special education students and all education workers in hot spot areas can register for vaccination.
Vaccinations will begin during the April break starting with priority neighborhoods in Toronto and Peel, then rolling out to other hot spot regions.