Advertisement

Announcement on Ontario schools coming ‘in the next couple days,’ Doug Ford says

Click to play video: 'Doug Ford comments on COVID-19 vaccine rollout, Ontario schools'
Doug Ford comments on COVID-19 vaccine rollout, Ontario schools
WATCH ABOVE: Ontario Premier Doug Ford commented on the status of the province’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout Tuesday as well as a planned announcement on schools. The premier was visiting a vaccination site for Hello Fresh employees in Mississauga – Dec 28, 2021

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says an announcement regarding schools in the province will be coming “in the next couple days.”

Ford made the remarks to a journalist at an unrelated event Tuesday when asked about the status of the return to school following the Christmas break amid the surge in COVID-19 cases.

“I know the [health] minister has been sitting down at the table along with the minister of education,” the premier said.
“We’ll be having an announcement in the next couple days, but we just want to see how things go and obviously speak to the chief medical officer, Dr. [Kieran] Moore.”

On Dec. 17, when the province announced new restrictions in response to the Omicron variant, Ford said no decision had yet been made on what will happen with schools in the new year.

Story continues below advertisement

“I want to speak directly to the parents out there,” Ford said at the time.

Click to play video: 'COVID-19: Ontario issues temporary restrictions on long-term care homes amid Omicron surge'
COVID-19: Ontario issues temporary restrictions on long-term care homes amid Omicron surge

“I know you’re concerned about your kids’ schools and what to expect after the new year. I can tell you this: no decision has been made on what that looks like yet. We are simply not in the position to say.

Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday.

Get weekly health news

Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

“The situation is evolving too quickly to be able to know where we’ll be in early January.”

Last week, Moore was also asked about what will happen to schools in the new year.

Despite uncertainties around the Omicron variant, Moore said at the time that experts he has consulted with currently “don’t see a reason” to make changes to the planned return.

Story continues below advertisement

He noted that Omicron doesn’t currently appear to have “any significant impact on children’s health,” referenced vaccinations among those aged 5 to 11, and said measures are in place to keep schools safe.

Ontario has since set records for daily COVID-19 cases. On Tuesday, 8,825 cases were reported. A record 10,412 were reported Saturday.

Sponsored content

AdChoices