Experts want schools to open first

Council says reopening institutions before other sectors is ‘imperative’

The Council of Ontario Medical Officers of Health is urging the provincial government to reopen schools before other sectors in an open letter to officials.

The letter penned by Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, the chair of the council, argued that placing schools among the first sectors to reopen is not only possible, but “imperative.”

“Many schools in Ontario have safely reopened across the province so far, and we are confident that all schools can be safely reopened,” Roumeliotis said in the letter dated Friday and addressed to Education Minister Stephen Lecce and Health Minister Christine Elliott.

“Reopening schools should be a priority, even before community restrictions are lifted.”

Citing published research, Roumeliotis said the risks of transmission in primary school and daycare is low so long as “public health measures are in place and are followed.”

With masking requirements and co-horting in place, data from the CDC (the U.S.based Centres for Disease Control and Prevention) suggested that schools might be open safely with sufficient regulations, even during a time of high community transmission, he said.

On Saturday, Lecce’s office released a statement saying that the government will be guided by leading scientific and pediatric leaders to ensure that schools are safe.

“We welcome the support of medical officers of health across Ontario as we work to get all schools open, for all children, in all regions of our province,” Lecce said in the statement.

Roumeliotis had some additional suggestions for the government.

First was increasing the infection-prevention measures in schools, such as the use of masks, physical distancing and daily health screening of staff and students.

He advised against close interactions between staff such as in the break-room or during inperson staff training or meetings.

Roumeliotis also recommended increasing resources for testing, as well as community access to COVID-19 tests.

“In order to support active screening in schools, all communities must have same day access to testing for COVID-19,” he said.

While the council acknowledged the dangers of the new COVID-19 variant spreading through Ontario, its members “do not believe they present a reason to delay a return to the classroom,” Roumeliotis said.