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Coronavirus: Guelph’s medical officer of health extends online learning until Jan. 24

Click to play video: 'Coronavirus: Elementary students in southern Ontario to continue online learning until Jan. 25'
Coronavirus: Elementary students in southern Ontario to continue online learning until Jan. 25
Ontario chief medical officer of health Dr. David Williams on Thursday announced that elementary school students in the southern regions of the province will continue online learning until Jan. 25 due to "increasing community transmission" of the coronavirus. He said schools in the northern regions of Ontario can open for in-class attendance, however the region will remain in province wide lockdown until Jan. 23 – Jan 7, 2021

Guelph’s medical officer of health has instructed all local school boards and private schools to continue online learning until Jan. 24.

Dr. Nicola Mercer said in a statement on Thursday that there has been a significant rise in COVID-19 cases and evidence of transmission among school-aged children.

“We must make this difficult decision to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and keep our region safe,” she said.

Mercer’s announcement came before the provincial government announced all in-person learning for elementary schools be postponed until Jan. 25 in southern Ontario.

High school students in southern Ontario are on virtual learning until Jan. 25 as previously outlined by the province.

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Schools have been further instructed to continue in-person support for students with special education needs who cannot be accommodated through remote learning.

“As a parent myself, I know this will be a challenge for many families in the region,” said Dr. Mercer.

“Thank you for your continued sacrifices to reduce the threat of COVID-19 to our children and our region. To our teachers, staff, administrators and boards, thank you for continuing to deliver exceptional education during these difficult times.”

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