Extracurricular activities may gradually return for Toronto's schools

Toronto Public Health says schools in the city may gradually allow extracurricular activities to return.

The public health unit has updated its COVID-19 guidelines, providing a framework for school boards to bring back sports, clubs and other extracurriculars.

The province permitted extracurriculars to go ahead when the new academic year began earlier this month but Toronto's health unit had recommended putting them on hold as in-person learning began on Sept. 9.

Both the Toronto District School Board and the Toronto Catholic District School Board sent letters to parents on Monday saying they would follow the updated guidance from the public health unit.

"This is very encouraging news as we know how important these activities are to students' mental and physical health and overall school experience," Colleen Russell-Rawlins, the director of education for the TDSB, wrote to parents.

 "The start of these activities will vary from school to school based on staff volunteers. We would ask for your continued patience and understanding as schools gradually get them up and running."

Toronto Public Health says it recommends prioritizing lower-risk and outdoor activities as extracurriculars resume.

It says that as schools establish their routines, other clubs, activities and teams may return.

Schools to keep records for contact tracing

The health unit also says school bands may return but without wind or brass instruments.

Schools should keep accurate records of all students who are part of extracurricular clubs and activity cohorts to help with contact tracing, Toronto Public Health said.

The green light for extracurriculars to resume came as Ontario reported 610 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, including 126 in Toronto.

Health Minister Christine Elliott said that 458 of those new cases were in people who are not fully vaccinated or have an unknown vaccination status.

Ontario also reported two new deaths linked to COVID-19 on Monday.