Manitoba's Education Minister says they will suspend classes in our province beginning Monday, March 23rd.

Kelvin Goertzen says this suspension will run for a period of three weeks, which includes one week before spring break and one week after the regularly scheduled spring break.

"We believe that our schools are safe," assures Goertzen. "However, the experience in other provinces and other parts of the world, tells us that proactive measures lessen the impact of the spread of COVID-19 and lessens the negative impact on individuals."

Goertzen says teachers will be asked to be on the job for one week before and one week after the regularly scheduled spring break, in order to prepare lessons for students to do at home. Other staff will be asked to use that time to prepare schools for the return of students, which could include cleaning and maintenance.

He notes they are announcing this impending suspension in advance so that parents and those in the education system can plan and prepare for this additional time that schools in Manitoba are not open.