Schools in Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph to move to online learning Wednesday, no plans yet in Waterloo region

Schools in Guelph, Wellington County and Dufferin County will move to remote learning starting Wednesday.

The move comes after public health officials in Peel Region ordered schools closed for two weeks on Monday.

Dr. Nicola Mercer, the medical officer of health and CEO of Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health, said in a release late Monday that she has seen a troubling rise in cases of COVID-19 among children. She plans to issue a Section 22 Order under the Health Protection and Promotion Act on Tuesday and it will come into effect on Wednesday.

"I wish this step was not required," Mercer said in the release. "I know the tremendous burden this places on families in our region. The growing number of cases across the province and the severity of the COVID-19 variants of concern places all of us at risk."

Schools would be eligible to return to in-person learning on Monday, April 19. The order won't impact childcare located in public schools.

No closures in Waterloo region yet

The medical officer of health for Waterloo region said Monday she has no plans to follow suit at this time.

"Given our overall COVID-19 situation in the region at this time, I am not planning to issue a Section 22 class order to close in-person learning for Waterloo region schools," said Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang in an email statement.

"We are however monitoring our local situation closely and will take additional actions as required."

Peel Public Health said in a release that the closure "will allow students and staff at least two weeks out of schools to break any chains of transmission and protect them from exposure." 

Peel's decision to close schools runs contrary to Premier Doug Ford's decision to keep schools open throughout the province.