After weeks of speculation, Ontario Premier Doug Ford has announced that schools will not reopen until the fall.

Ford said that allowing students and teachers back to class before the majority are vaccinated against COVID-19 could lead to “thousands” of new cases.

“I know this is very difficult news. It was a very hard decision to make,” he said.

Most students in Ontario have been learning remotely since April 19 due to increasing rates of COVID-19 transmission.

Ford said the government would work with school boards to host outdoor graduations and other events for students before the year wraps up.