School Councils across the province are extremely concerned about the impact of the Covid-19 virus on students and school staff and are calling on government to close schools.

The NL Federation of School Councils (NLFSC) says they have been inundated with calls and emails from worried parents and school council members saying schools should not remain open. NLFSC has forwarded all concerns along to Education Minister Warr, and Tony Stack CEO of English School District.

Governments worldwide say the best way to contain the virus is through social distancing, avoidance of large gatherings, and increased hand washing.

More businesses and private companies are moving to telework, and arts, sports and entertainment events have been cancelled, so it makes no sense to keep our schools – one of the places where hundreds of children, teachers and parents gather on a daily basis – open!

NLFSC urges the provincial government to follow the advice of Canada’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Theresa Tamm who, when speaking to Canadians on Sunday March 15 said “Government needs to act now to contain the virus.  Our window to flatten the [growth] curve of the epidemic is narrow.”

NLFSC remains in close contact with the Minister of Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and will continue to represent the concerns of our membership.

“This is our chance right here, right now. We need to act now and act together.”

—-Dr. Theresa Tamm.