Local Schools To Reopen January 25th With Enhanced Public Health Measures

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Publicly-funded elementary and secondary schools in Peterborough City and County will be permitted to resume in-person learning on January 25th.

After reviewing the most recent COVID-19 data and on the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, Peterborough Public Health (PPH) is one of the seven public health units given the green light to allow students return on Monday.

This means that most schools in the following schools boards will resume in-person learning:

  • Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (Peterborough City and County, Northumberland County, Hastings County only)

  • Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board (Peterborough City and County, Northumberland County and Kawartha Lakes only)

  • Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir (Peterborough City and County only)

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In a media release by Peterborough Public Health, Dr. Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health, explains that local COVID-19 rates in children haven’t risen as much as in other areas to warrant keeping area schools closed.

“In our community, the testing positivity rate is relatively low at 1.1%,” she says. “We are closely following our numbers and monitoring the trends. If the situation in our region changes, we will take appropriate action.”

For local students and staff currently exhibiting any COVID-19 symptoms, Dr. Salvaterra strongly encourages them to get tested now so they have their test results before school resumes on January 25th. Even though schools will reopen for in-person learning, staff and students must stay home if they have symptoms and while waiting for test results.

Dr. Salvaterra also notes that the provincial shutdown with enhanced measures as well as the stay at home order remains in effect for all of Ontario until at least February 11th, which means no socialization or gatherings before or after school even with cohorts.

With this reopening, the province requires schools to add additional public health measures, such as masking in younger grades and enhanced screening requirements to ensure students can safely return to school and reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

For an entire, detailed breakdown of the enhanced measures being put in place, click here.

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