Screening instructions increasingly not followed with child care: Region

thestar.com
Oct. 1, 2021
Brock Weir

The Region of York is encouraging parents and child care providers to use its online screening tool prior to sending their children to school and care settings.

This was the message delivered Monday by Dr. Richard Gould, York Region’s Medical Officer of Health, who says the local public health unit was “experiencing more individuals not following daily screening instructions, specifically when it comes to childcare centres and home child care.

“York Region’s school and child care screening tool must be completed every day prior to attending school, child care or day programs. A child must not attend school or child care if experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms. The screening tool can be found at York.ca/safeatschool,” said Dr. Gould.

“I would like to sincerely thank all parents, guardians and residents who continue to do their part, and complete this tool thoroughly every day. You are helping to keep COVID-19 out of our schools and keep our friends and family members safe. As a parent and grandparent myself, I understand the added steps it takes to get your children out the door – but screening works and is an important tool during this pandemic. As an additional layer of protection, further instructions have been issued for owners and operators of licensed child care centres, home child care, and before and after school programs requiring confirmation of daily COVID-19 active screening for anyone entering the premises, requiring all staff to wear medical masks, ensuring physical distancing measures between cohorts, maintaining daily attendance records for staff, prohibiting non-essential visitors and volunteers from entering the premises, cooperating fully with York Region Public Health, and complying with all requirements of the Provincial Reopening Ontario Act.”

We all have a role to play in keeping our communities safe, he added, noting that vaccination “remains our best protection against COVID-19.”