Prepare for up to four weeks of no school: Etches

Ottawa’s top doctor says parents, students and teachers should prepare for up to four weeks of online learning as Ontario closes its schools.

“Practically speaking, we probably need to prepare for and be psychologically ready for two to four weeks of no school in-person,” medical officer of health Dr. Vera Etches told Newstalk 580 CFRA’s Kristy Cameron on Monday.

“If the hospitalizations are going to keep going up towards the end of the month, it may be hard to return.”

Etches spoke after Premier Doug Ford announced Monday that schools will be closed to in-person learning until Jan. 17.

The province had said last week that in-person schooling would return on Wednesday.