School Years Program

Current situation

As of March 21, Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health lifted some COVID-19 health and safety measures. For more information please visit the Ontario Ministry of Education COVID-19: health and safety measures at schools (external link).

Schools and child care operators are no longer required to notify families of positive cases or if an individual is absent due to symptoms associated with COVID-19.

Reporting a case of COVID-19 to Public Health:

• There is no requirement for parent(s), guardians and/or principals/child care operators to report a positive PCR/RAT test result to Halton Region Public Health.
• The Ministry of Education requires schools to report when absenteeism rates rise to a level of approximately 30% or more above baseline to their local Public Health Unit.

Updated testing and case and contact management for schools and child care:

• Testing and case and contact management have shifted to focus on highest risk settings such as hospitals, long-term care facilities and congregate living settings.
• Halton Region Public Health will not be dismissing cohorts
• Individuals you have come into contact with only at school/childcare, are NOT generally considered close contacts. However, specific individuals in school or child care settings may be identified by the case as close contacts based on their prolonged, unprotected, close interactions with the case either in or outside of the setting.
• Any dismissals or closures of a school or childcare setting will be contingent on operational requirements determined by the school board, school, and/or child care operator.
• The Province has updated its guidance on self-isolation, self-monitoring, symptoms and COVID-19 testing. To get the latest information on what to do if you were exposed to COVID-19 and how to protect yourself and others, please visit ontario.ca/exposed (external link).

For information on what to do if you have COVID-19 symptoms, had an exposure to COVID-19 or have tested positive:

• Ontario COVID-19 school and childcare screening (external link)
• Please visit Halton’s COVID-19 Information and Guidance webpage for more information.