The Manitoba government has floated the idea of extending the holiday break for students by another two weeks, but no official decision has been made yet.
The idea to extend the break — which as of right now starts Dec. 18 — is to provide an extra incubation period to offset the rise in COVID cases that would result from holiday gatherings, according to Dr. Brent Roussin.
Manitoba’s top doctor is strongly advising Manitobans to refrain from their usual holiday gatherings this year, but admits that will be a challenge and that some gatherings will probably still occur.
Other provinces, including British Columbia, are also mulling over a possible holiday extension to curb COVID-19 transmission.
The Ontario government has already announced it will not extend the winter break for students — a decision that drew mixed reactions from some parents and health experts.
Ontario education minister Stephen Lecce said the extension was determined to be unnecessary, "given Ontario’s strong safety protocols, low levels of transmission," and safety within their schools.
