While learning will restart Jan. 4, Sault students won't be back in the classroom until at least Jan. 11.
As part of the provincial COVID-19 shutdown effective Dec. 26, the province has released new details on how students will return to learning after the holiday break.
According to the announcement, all elementary and secondary schools will start the new year with teacher-led remote learning.
The Algoma area's date for returning to in-person instruction is Jan. 11 for elementary and secondary students. This is the same day students in the other Northern Ontario health unit regions can return to the classroom as well.
The provincial shutdown will be in effect for at least 14 days in Northern Ontario and 28 days for southern Ontario, starting Boxing Day.
Measures that will be put in place include, but are not limited to:
- Restricting indoor organized public events and social gatherings, except with members of the same household (the people you live with). Individuals who live alone may consider having exclusive close contact with one other household.
- Prohibiting in-person shopping in most retail settings - curbside pickup and delivery can continue. Discount and big box retailers selling groceries will be limited to 25 per cent capacity for in-store shopping. Supermarkets, grocery stores and similar stores that primarily sell food, as well as pharmacies, will continue to operate at 50 per cent capacity for in-store shopping.
- Restricting indoor access to shopping malls - patrons may only go to a designated indoor pickup area (by appointment only), essential retail stores that are permitted to be open (e.g. pharmacy, grocery store), or, subject to physical distancing and face covering requirements, to the food court for takeout purchases. Shopping malls may also establish outdoor designated pickup areas.
- Prohibiting indoor and outdoor dining. Restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments will be permitted to operate by take out, drive-through, and delivery only.
When schools are closed, before and after school programs will also be closed.
According to the announcement, emergency child care for health care and frontline workers will be provided. "As part of the government's efforts to protect the most vulnerable, boards will be required to make provisions for continued in-person support for students with special education needs who cannot be accommodated through remote learning for whom remote learning is challenging," reads the news release.