2 Montreal Schools Have Closed After Students Tested Positive For The Omicron Variant

Two Montreal schools have been forced to shut their doors for a period of time due to possible outbreaks of the Omicron variant.

As shown on the COVID Ecoles Quebec (@CovidEcoles) Twitter account, École primaire des Coquelicots in Verdun and École Sainte-Geneviève Sud in Lasalle are both now closed until December 24.

The letters sent home to parents at the two schools both state that in the last week, multiple students have received a positive COVID-19 Omicron test.

Both schools have requested that all students and employees get two COVID-19 tests. École Sainte-Geneviève Sud is asking that everyone get one by December 16 and another on December 22, while École primaire des Coquelicots asks that students and staff get the first test by December 15 and the second on December 22.*

The letters say that those who have received an isolation order must remain at home until the schools reopen, even with a negative test result.*

According to the @CovidEcoles Twitter account, McGill University confirmed an outbreak of COVID-19 cases on December 13 among members of its "sports teams and associated Athletics and Recreation staff."*

On Tuesday, the government confirmed that Quebecers will be able to claim free rapid COVID-19 tests at more than 1,900 pharmacies across the province starting on December 20.

*This article has been updated.