Ontario students won't have a longer winter break after all, with the province saying its current COVID-19 protocols are enough to keep kids safe in schools at this time.
Education Minister Stephen Lecce says that after consulting the province's top doctor and its public health measures table, the government has determined an extended holiday break is "not necessary."
In a statement released today, Lecce says the government will continue to consider all options when it comes to keeping schools open in January and beyond.
The minister said Tuesday that the province was considering prolonging the winter break or starting the new year with a stretch of online learning to reduce the risk of transmission following the holidays.
Meanwhile, Ontario is reporting 1,417 new cases of COVID-19 today, and 32 new deaths due to the virus.
Health Minister Christine Elliott says 463 new cases are in Peel Region, 410 cases are in Toronto, and 178 are in York Region.
The province says 26 of the new deaths reported today are in long-term care homes.
It also says 678 nursing home residents currently have COVID-19, and 100 of the province's 626 long-term care homes are experiencing an outbreak.
Ontario also reported 109 new COVID-19 cases related to schools, including at least 92 among students.
Those bring the number of schools with a reported case to 670 out of Ontario's 4,828 publicly funded schools.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 18, 2020.
The Canadian Press
