Despite the multiplication of cases of COVID-19 in schools, Quebec does not intend to extend the Christmas holidays to try to slow down this increase.
Belgium recently announced that its primary schools would close their doors for the Holidays one week in advance, a way of reducing the pressure on hospitals, which is “not tenable”.
New Brunswick has also moved ahead of the school break by a few days: Monday, Premier Blaine Higgs announced that kindergarten to grade 6 studentse year would go on vacation as early as Friday, instead of next week.
This is not a measure considered immediately in Quebec, confirmed the Ministry of Health and Social Services. Currently, in the province, 42% of schools have at least one active case of COVID-19.
“Public health experts remain on the lookout to observe any changes in the epidemiology which would require an adaptation of the situation”, writes the spokesperson of the Ministry Robert Maranda.
At a press briefing Monday, the Prime Minister, François Legault, also said that, “for the moment”, Public Health had not requested any change to the health rules in force.
The start of the Christmas vacation varies depending on where you live in the province. For some, classes will end on Friday, for example for students who attend schools in the largest school service center in the province, that of Montreal. Others will be on the school benches until December 23.
A “difficult” situation in primary schools
Closing schools for longer could be an option in areas where there is a large increase in the number of cases, says DD Anne Gatignol, professor of microbiology at McGill University.
However, she observes that in Quebec, the vaccination of 5 to 11 year olds began several weeks ago and that as a result, “our children should be better protected for the start of the school year”.
It should be noted that European countries [notamment la France] have not started or are just starting vaccination for 5-11 year olds. They chose to give the third dose to all adults as a priority.
The DD Anne Gatignol, professor of microbiology at McGill University
Last year, schools were closed from December 17 to January 11 to slow the progression of COVID-19 cases. The vaccination campaign was only just beginning.
As was the case a year ago, the Fédération québécoise des principals d’Établissements d’Enseignement (FQDE) believes that the best thing for students is to be in class.
Its president, Nicolas Prévost, nevertheless says that in primary schools, the situation is difficult.
“From the moment there is a case of COVID-19, we are forced to manage many, many cases,” said Mr. Prévost. If there should be an early closure of schools, he would like this to be determined according to the regions where the situation is more critical.
He notes that Public Health is “overwhelmed” and does not systematically conduct an investigation every time a school has a case of COVID-19.
Sometimes we are told, “Don’t call us if you just have one, two or three cases. Call if you have a lot of cases and we’ll come and give you a hand. ”
Nicolas Prévost, President of the Quebec Federation of Educational Institution Managers
The FQDE notes, on the other hand, that the rapid tests that the government distributes to all elementary school students for the Christmas holidays are starting to arrive in schools as planned.
“For the remaining days, we will stick together. There are also many upcoming vaccination campaigns in primary schools, ”says Nicolas Prévost.
It remains to be seen what COVID-19 will bring in the new year. Some students will be on the school benches from the first week of January, but in some areas, schools will not reopen until January 10.
With Pierre-André Normandin, Press, Agence France-Presse and The Canadian Press