Dr. Williams in favour of schools resuming in-person class ahead of Ontario’s reopening
Posted May 25, 2021 5:09 pm.
Last Updated May 25, 2021 5:46 pm.
Ontario’s top doctor says he’d like to see schools resume in-person learning before the province enters the first step of its reopening plan in mid-June.
Dr. David Williams said Tuesday that most public health units have stated they’re in favour of schools reopening sooner, rather than later.
High schools and elementary schools across the province have been shut to in-person learning since mid-April.
Williams says he has heard from many public health agencies, including those in the hard-hit Toronto area, who want to see schools reopen.
He says he’d also be open to a regional approach to allow some school boards to return to in-person classes sooner than others.
Williams says there will be a decision on schools soon.
This comes after Ontario’s latest modelling showed that schools might be able to reopen for in-person learning and while that may increase COVID-19 case counts, it could be manageable as long as the province continues on a positive trend.
The modelling notes that if schools were to reopen, they project it would lead to a 6 to 11 percent increase in new daily COVID-19 cases.
During his last public appearance, Premier Doug Ford admitted Williams has been in favour of schools reopening to in-person learning but that some health and safety advisors have cautioned against that for now.
At the beginning of the month, Ontario education unions, advocacy groups and parents raised concerns about a government plan to offer an online learning option for the next school year.
With files from The Canadian Press
