Before schools let out for the holiday break, staff and students were already aware that the return to school would be delayed at least one week this year, to January 10th, but were on notice that it was subject to change. WIth COVID cases spiking over the holidays, the province has announced that they are adding a week of remote learning to allow school divisions to adequately prepare for students to return to in-person learning.

Premier Heather Stefanson and Education Minister Cliff Cullen announced the change in a press conference on Tuesday, where they also shared some details about additional supports for the schools. Over the next eight weeks, more than 5 million child and adult sized medical masks will be distributed to schools around the province, and after hours school-based immunisation clinics will continue to be held. The extra week will also allow them to distribute more rapid tests in addition to the 550,000 that have already been distributed, particularly to schools where they have outbreaks or high numbers of cases.

All in all, there will be an additional investment of up to $80 million in new funding for Manitoba schools for the 2021-22 school year.

Dr. Jazz Atwal, Deputy Chief Provincial Public Health Officer, addressed the need to have that week of extra time to be able to track current cases and allow for more accurate modelling. He also fielded questions, including one on the current recommendations for mask use. This has been a topic of much debate lately, and Dr. Atwal stresses that more important than the type of mask is ensuring that the mask fits well and is taken on and off properly.

With an estimated backlog of 6,500 tests and many more people not getting tested at all, the number of cases is likely significantly higher than what is currently being reported. One of the main metrics now considered when it comes to schools reopening and other provincial health orders is the number of hospitalisations and the strain on the healthcare system.

All three officials stressed that this is a rapidly evolving situation and further changes may be announced.