English schools in western Quebec to close amid heat wave

The English-language Western Qubec School Board says it's decided to keepelementary students home on Wednesday because COVID-19 restrictions prevent the use of fans, even during the current heat wave.

Gatineau, Que., is under a heat warning andsurrounding areas are under a special weather statement, with highs expected to remain in the low 30s until Friday.

The board said it there are restrictions on the use of fans in its schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. The illnessspreads primarily through droplets.

The board didn't mention its plans for the rest of the week.

• Heat warnings cover most of Ottawa-Gatineau region

None of the French school boards in the region hasannounced similar closures.

The Portages de l'Outaouaisschool board said in a Facebook post it was told by public health officials it can use fans and air conditioners because it doesn't let anyonewith symptoms of COVID-19 into its schools.

Both it and the Hauts-Bois-de-l'Outaouais school boardhaveasked parents to send their children to school with water and light clothes.

High schools in Quebec remain closed until the fall, as doall elementary and high schools in Ontario.