Canada’s province of Quebec will begin gradually reopening schools on May 11, citing the move as “for the good of children.”
Quebec Premier Francois Legault announced Monday that elementary schools and day care centers outside Montreal will reopen on May 11, with elementary schools in the Montreal area following on May 19.
Legault listed five reasons for why schools should reopen, according to the Montreal Gazette:
- For the good of children, especially those with learning difficulties.
- Risk for children, people under 60, is limited.
- Hospitals have the capacity to take care of sick people.
- We have the OK from public health.
- Life must go on. Children have to see their friends, teachers.
Legault said it could be months before a vaccine for the coronavirus is created and argued that “we can’t see children staying home for 12 to 18 months.”
High schools and universities won’t reopen until August, according to the announcement.
“Despite the [planned reopening of schools and businesses], the population remains at risk,” Horacio Arruda, Quebec’s public health director, said. “It won’t be time for family parties with the elderly yet.”
