Blizzard closes schools on first day back; libraries, outdoor skating and other events in Ajax, Whitby and rest of Durham also cancelled
Published January 17, 2022 at 10:16 am
The still falling snow that has nearly buried some vehicles has put the freeze on some events and activities around the region as snow plows do their best to clear the streets.
Number one on the list is schools, which were scheduled to re-open today after an extended COVID holiday break. Instead, most students will get an extra day off as Durham Student Transportation Services have cancelled buses in all zones today due to inclement weather.
All in-person elementary schools at both the Durham District and Durham Catholic school boards will be closed.
In-person secondary school students will be transitioning to online learning for the day at both boards. DDSB@Home for elementary students is also open today.
The Catholic Board is encouraging families of elementary students to enjoy this ‘snow day’ while adding that educators will post asynchronous materials online “for those who wish to access them.”
Libraries in most municipalities in Durham are closed today and vaccination clinics scheduled for today are also cancelled. Those with appointments will be contacted for re-scheduling.
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Skating at many outdoor rinks, such as Pat Bayly Square in Ajax and Delpark Homes Centre in Oshawa, have been cancelled.
Waste pick-up in Whitby and Oshawa has been cancelled, though it is unknown if garbage or blue box pick-up normally scheduled for Mondays in other communities are still a go.
The Community Services Committee meeting scheduled for this morning in Oshawa has also been cancelled. (It is primarily a virtual meeting but still requires some people at City Hall to run the meeting.)
Residents are warned to stay off the roads if you can. Multiple vehicles are already stuck and accidents have been reported. Durham Regional Police are also declaring the Collision Reporting Centre closed until further notice and that accidents will be investigated “when needed.”
insauga's Editorial Standards and Policies advertisingCLOSURE: The Regional Reporting Centre in Whitby has is CLOSED until further notice due to the inclement weather. Accidents will be investigated at scene when needed.
— Durham Regional Police (@DRPS) January 17, 2022