“We are in unprecedented times…calling for important decision-making.”
With that, Premier Dwight Ball today announced the closure of all schools, childcare centres, and post-secondary institutions to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
All in-school class instruction, daycares and College of the North Atlantic campuses are being suspended. Tomorrow is a planning day for teachers and school staff, and Wednesday and Thursday schools will open to allow students to get their belongings and school materials.
Regulated family child care will continue operation due to the small number of children in attendance at each service.
The Premier says he doesn’t know if we can get back to having a school year this year.
Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Janice Fitzgerald acknowledges the decision is hard on families, but was made in the best interest of public health.
An online self-assessment tool is available, with good uptake, according to Dr. Janice Fitzgerald, and has helped to alleviate the pressure on 811.
Premier Dwight Ball is asking everyone who can, to work from home.
Extra resources have been added to the province’s 811 health line to deal with increased call volumes.
Province’s emergency and business continuity plans have also been implemented.
To date there is one presumptive case of COVID-19 in the province. A woman in the Labrador-Grenfell Health region who returned from a Caribbean cruise.
Classes will be suspended at all #nlschools effective Tuesday, March 17 . @GovNL made the announcement today, in consultation with the District and @HCS_GovNL as part of province-wide efforts to reduce the risk of spreading the COVID-19 coronavirus.
— NLESD (@NLESDCA) March 16, 2020
