Premier Doug Ford has penned a letter to local and provincial health and education leaders regarding the potential reopening of Ontario’s schools.
The letter, from the office of the Premier has been sent to local and provincial pediatric and medical experts, local medical officers of health, and partners in the education sector.
The letter from Ford comes as calls to get kids back in the classroom are increasing.
Following recent comments from Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, another of Ontario’s top docs has suggested students could be returning to school before the end of the academic year, even saying he won’t rule out schools coming back as early as May 31st – next Monday.
The Medical Officer of Health for the Eastern Ontario Health Unit and the chair of the Council of Medical Officers of Health told reporters earlier this week that he has been in discussion with Premier Ford and that an announcement could be coming before the end of this week.
The Medical officer for Peel Region also spoke yesterday, saying with accelerated vaccine coverage for teachers and students well underway, he’d like to see schools reopen sooner than later.
That echoes sentiments by Ontario’s chief medical officer, Dr. David Williams earlier this week, suggesting the province could take a regional approach.
Not everyone is on board though – Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table says opening schools could bring an increase in new COVID cases anywhere between six to 11 percent.
Sam Hammond, president of the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario is urging caution, since not all teachers across the province have been vaccinated. Hammond would also like to see rapid testing in every school and assurances that additional safety measures are put in place.
Students across Ontario have been learning from home since mid-April.
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