All students across Fort McMurray will be moving back to virtual learning.

The Fort McMurray Catholic School District and Public School Division made a joint application to the Ministry of Education to move all grades online, getting approval on Sunday.

This comes as the community experiences a large number of new COVID-19 cases. Currently, the region is the worst in the province for spread of the virus.

“We want all students to be in school, but with this recent surge in COVID-19 cases in Fort McMurray we know this is a difficult, yet correct decision,” said George McGuigan, FMCSD Superintendent.

Before this joint announcement, students at all high schools and St. Gabriel were already learning from home.

At this time, students will return to school on May 10.

“We know this is the best decision for our students, staff, and community as the numbers, and rate of COVID spread continues to climb,” added Jennifer Turner, FMPSD Superintendent.