[GTranslate]With the surge in Covid-19 infections in recent days – yesterday there were 1,553 cases in Ontario recording the highest number in the last five weeks – some providers are planning to transfer all students to distance learning.

Peel’s medical officer, Dr. Lawrence Loh, has confirmed that he is considering the option with both the region’s Public and Catholic Boards. A meeting with the Peel District School Board (PDSB) and the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSBS) for an update of the situation is scheduled for next week. If the final decision, as is assumed, will be to transfer all the children to virtual lessons the date of return to the classrooms could be that of April 19. There are currently seven schools in Peel’s Catholic department that have switched to online learning.

The school year in the province, this year alternates periods when students can attend in presence and others in which they have to stay at home in front of the computer.

The uphill infections, meanwhile, are of considerable concern to Peel’s Public Board who asked the teachers to wear visors or goggles inside the buildings and to consider having lunch on their own. With the last 119 cases, yesterday the schools of the province reached 10,751.

The new health and safety measures are listed in an email that has sparked even greater concerns among teachers. Peel region, particularly Brampton, has recorded some of the highest rates of Covid-19 infections in the country. Strengthening guidelines for infection prevention and control in schools is based on Peel Public Health recommendations.

According to PDSB spokeswoman Tiffany Gooch, caution is never too much and in addition to the mask, teachers must wear a protective visor. Dr. Loh said he recommended the use of eye protectors for school staff in the fall. Now that the cases have increased, that advice has been strengthened. “Peel Public Health has advised school providers to make this eye protection recommendation mandatory given also the presence of even more contagious variants of the virus,” Loh said.

Since at least eight people probably contracted Covid-19 by eating and drinking in enclosed spaces after returning to in-person learning a month ago, Peel Public Health recommended that staff “have lunch alone and drink at a distance of at least two meters from students in class and to take the lunch break in unused classrooms or even outdoors”. Finally, it is very important not to meet with colleagues for lunch but to eat the meal by yourself.