Toronto is to close all educational settings to in-person learning

On Thursday evening, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa released a new public health order which is meant to limit in-person attendance of school-aged children around all educational settings.

Although, there are exceptions regarding in-person learning for students with special needs, still, according to the news release, the order applies to all educational settings which also includes independent schools.

The order will go into effect from May 10 and anyone who chooses not to follow it can be charged with a fine of a minimum of $750. As per officials’ statements, the order has “to stop school-aged children from congregating indoors, in enclosed spaces, for extended periods, on a regular basis” and hopefully will result in lowering the spread of COVID-19.