Update: Niagara Kids Returning to Class With New Protocols

Wednesday, 3 February 2021 16:20

By Linda Morgan

Education Minister Stephen Lecce has announced return dates for students in the province.

It's back to the classroom for thousands of Niagara students.

Education Minister Stephen Lecce announcing yesterday students in the region will return to school on Monday.

Students in 12 other health units will also return to in person learning next week.

But for children in Toronto, Peel and York Regions they will have to wait until February 16th to make their return.

All students will be faced with new protocols when they head back into classrooms.

The new provincial measures include:

Provincewide access, in consultation with the local PHU, to targeted asymptomatic testing for students and staff;
Mandatory masking requirement for students in Grades 1-3, and masking requirement for Grades 1-12 outdoors where physical distancing cannot be maintained;
Providing 3.5 million high quality cloth masks to schools as back-up supply for Grade 1-12 students;
Enhanced screening for secondary students and staff;
Guidance discouraging students from congregating before and after school; and,
Temporary certification of eligible teacher candidates who are set to graduate in 2021 to stabilize staffing levels, following high levels of absenteeism.

Audio of Stephen Lecce's news conference can be found below.

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