COVID-19 Update for August 26 2020 – 2:15pm

Ontario Premier Doug Ford provided an update this afternoon on funding the province is allocating for its back to school plan, enhanced by the federal investment announced earlier this morning. He also released the province’s “COVID-19 management plans for schools”.

Back to School Funding

Ford detailed the updated funding available for the province’s investments on back-to-school programs, including funding for the health and safety elements of reopening schools, special education and mental health support, additional public health nurses and more. This funding increase comes from the federal investment of up to $2 billion for the provinces, of which Ontario will be receiving $381 million. According to the provincial news release, the second half of the funding will be announced later this year for the remainder of the school year.

The full breakdown of funding can be found in the provincial release here.

COVID-19 Management Plans for Schools

The provincial government is releasing their plan for COVID-19 management that will provide guidance to schools and school boards on what to do in the event of a case or outbreak of COVID-19. Dr. Dirk Huyer, the province’s chief coroner, will lead Ontario’s efforts on outbreak management in schools, childcare centres, agriculture, and healthcare, including long-term care. He has previously led the province’s testing strategy on the health command table and has been deputized by Ontario’s chief medical officer of health, Dr. David Williams.

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We hope you are finding these COVID-19 updates useful. In addition to trying to keep on top of the fast-changing situation, Enterprise is also working to support local charities during these challenging times. If you are able, your contributions to this effort would be deeply appreciated.

To donate, please click on the organization below:

• Toronto – Food Banks Canada
• Thunder Bay – Food Banks North West
• Hamilton/Niagara – Hamilton Food Share
• Alberta – Hope Mission

Many thanks.

Stay safe. Stay healthy.

The Enterprise Team