KENORA – COVID-19 Update – The Ministry of Education has implemented additional measures that schools must put in place to help decrease the risk of transmission of COVID-19 within schools. As of January 25th, 2021, all school staff and visitors in both elementary and secondary schools must complete an on- site validation of COVID-19 screening before entering any premise considered part of school property. This same on-site validation will be required by all secondary students beginning February 10th, 2021.
With support of Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU), schools will determine a safe and efficient process to implement this new requirement.
In-person learning at schools in the Fort Frances area has not yet resumed since the holiday break.
“We have assessed the status of COVID-19 in the community of Fort Frances, and in collaboration with local school boards, in-person learning can resume on January 25th, 2021,” says Dr. Kit Young Hoon, Medical Officer of Health at NWHU. The surge of cases seen in early January has steadily declined and all active cases and contacts are being monitored by public health.
“Our team will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation in all communities across the region to ensure schools are a safe place to keep open,” Dr. Young Hoon notes.
Parents and students in the Fort Frances area are reminded of the new prevention measures put in place over the break to reduce the chance of spread of COVID-19:
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- Mandatory masking in grades 1-3 in schools, on buses, in school board vehicles, and in before and after school programs
- Encouragement for masking in kindergarten students
- Masking outside when physical distance of 2m or more cannot be maintained
