March break to be postponed until April, says Ontario Education Minister

Education Minister Stephen Lecce announced on Thursday that Ontario will postpone March break for students until April 12.

"Postponing March Break, not cancelling it, is an important way that schools can help to limit community transmission," said Lecce from Queen's Park in Toronto.

"I recognize that this is one more change in a year that has been challenging for so many students and our education staff who continue to work so hard, but is one made on the best advice of public health officials to keep them safe, and to keep our schools open in this province."

Speculation over whether or not March break would be cancelled altogether have circulated for weeks, as health advisors warned that a break could lead to congregation that would lead to more community spread.

"We know that they have been closed for some time due to that high spike and retransmission over the winter break," Lecce added. "We'd rather not repeat."

The Ontario government said in a statement released Thursday: "To keep schools open, we must keep them free of COVID-19. The actions announced today serve to limit opportunities for congregation - while reaffirming the evidence that schools are safe for students. By continuing to follow public health advice, and by introducing additional safety measures and more testing, we are supporting our collective efforts to keep COVID-19 from entering our schools."