Premier Doug Ford is seeking input on the possible return to in-person learning before the end of the academic year.
In a letter addressed “To whom it may concern,” the Premier stresses the importance of student mental health but referenced the increasing number of COVID-19 cases that are variants being a massive concern.
The letter, sent to the various health officials across the province, states that current modelling shows school reopening could raise daily case counts to between 2,000 and 4,000 by the end of July.
Premier Ford states that vaccinations are the key to fighting the virus but is concerned about vaccinations amongst teachers.
“Only 41 per cent of teachers and education workers are vaccinated compared to 62 per cent of the general adult population in Ontario,” writes Ford.
Ford concludes the letter mentioning two questions that have been posed by the provincial government, asking for advice on them:
1. Is the reopening of schools for in-person learning safe for students?
2. Is the reopening of schools for in-person learning safe for teachers and all education staff?
This comes as the province recorded 1,135 new cases of COVID-19 Thursday.
