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Remote Learning to Continue across Ontario for the Remainder of School Year

Ontario Accelerating Vaccinations to Support a Safer Summer and Return to In-Person Learning in September

June 02, 2021
Premier’s Office

TORONTO — To best protect Ontario families from the fast growing B.1.617.2 variant, and to allow for higher rates of vaccination of students, staff, and families, the Ontario government has made the difficult decision to continue with remote learning for all elementary and secondary students across the province for the remainder of this school year. This will allow the province to continue its focus on accelerating COVID-19 vaccinations to support a safer summer and return to in-person learning in September for the 2021-22 school year.

Details were provided today by Premier Ford, Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education, and Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health.

“At a time when our top priority is putting the third wave behind us so that we can safely enter Step One of our Roadmap to Reopen, we can’t risk increased cases and potential downstream impacts on hospitals and ICUs,” said Premier Ford. “Making this tough decision now will allow kids to safely enjoy camps and outdoor activities this summer, and a safe return to school in September.”

Recent modelling presented by the Science Advisory Table revealed that if Ontario reopened schools to in-person learning the province could see an increase of six to 11 per cent in the number of new daily COVID-19 cases. It is unknown how many of these would be the new, more dangerous B.1.617.2 variant first identified in India, which has entered the province through Canada’s borders.

An increase in cases and the spread of variants would also threaten Ontarians’ hard-fought progress in beating the third wave and could delay the safe return to many summer activities for kids, including day and overnight camps, sports leagues and public pools, among other important activities that support children’s physical and mental wellbeing.

“While this decision was not made lightly, it has been done with one aim: protect the summer for families and deliver a stable and safe September for students,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education. “We are looking forward and taking action by getting all education workers and students vaccinated with both doses ahead of September, while investing an additional $2 billion to ensure students and staff are safe.”

Ontario’s plan supports the largest investment in mental health and the largest summer learning program in Ontario history, with supports available to students through the summer and when they return to in-person learning in September. The government is working to ensure that students can look forward to a return to normal and enjoy outdoor and extracurricular activities as soon as it is safe to do so.

School boards will continue to have safety plans in place for students who are experiencing or could be expected to experience mental health challenges. This will help them to have continued access to remote or in-person services through the school, community child and youth mental health service providers or local health care partners. Schools will continue to remain open for in-person learning for special education students who cannot be accommodated through remote learning until the end of June. Students, parents and families also have a number of mental health resources that are available to them through their school board as well as through other providers, including Kids Help Phone, which offers 24/7 counselling and referral services across the province, as well as resources through School Mental Health Ontario and services through child and youth mental health agencies across the province.

Vaccines remain the best defence against COVID-19 and to date, more than 9.36 million doses have been administered in Ontario and a plan to accelerate second doses has just been released. Youth aged 12 and over are currently eligible to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment through the provincial booking system and call centre, as well as at select pharmacies administering the Pfizer vaccine.

To book an appointment online, these individuals must already be 12 years old as of the date of their booking. Individuals who are not 12 years old at time of booking can book an appointment for a later date through the provincial call centre or directly through public health units that use their own booking system. The Pfizer vaccine is currently the only COVID-19 vaccine that has been authorized by Health Canada for use in individuals aged 12 and over. In addition, the province is encouraging eligible family members who have not received a vaccine to attend these clinics to get youth and their families vaccinated as quickly as possible.

Offering the protection of the vaccine to youth aged 12 and over is a significant milestone in Ontario’s fight against COVID-19. The province expects to reach all youth aged 12 and over who want a vaccine with a first dose before the end of June and with a second dose by the end of August 2021. Following prioritization of education workers with a first dose this spring, the province also expects to reach all education workers with a second dose by the week of August 15, if not already eligible earlier by age cohort or other eligibility. This is subject to vaccine supply.

These measures will ensure that all Ontarians aged 12 and older who want to will be fully vaccinated by the end of summer, including students and educational staff.

Students have worked incredibly hard throughout the pandemic, with important milestones like graduation ceremonies impacted. Ontario students deserve this positive conclusion to their academic journey, safely. The government will allow school boards to invite graduating students in elementary schools (by class) and secondary schools (by homeroom/quadmestered class) to return to school in June for a short, outdoor celebration, where physical distancing is possible.

With schools in Ontario closed for in-person learning, emergency child care (ECC) will continue until the end of June to align with the end of the elementary school year. Before and after school programs will remain closed and will continue to not charge parent fees, which is prohibited during the remote learning period. Licensed child care centres may resume serving school-aged children for full-days in programming over the summer months, in accordance with the Ministry of Education’s health and safety guidance. Those before and after school programs that operate as a camp over the summer will be permitted to do so, and will follow health and safety guidance from the Ministry of Health

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80+ eligible May 31 to get SECOND DOSE OF COVID-19 vaccine EARLIER- HERE ARE YOUR OPTIONS TO BOOK

MEDIA RELEASE:

Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit

May 28, 2021

On Monday May 31st at 8am, individuals 80 years of age and over (or born in 1941 or before) will be eligible to rebook their second dose appointment for COVID-19 vaccine at an earlier interval, when local appointments are available.

The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit wanted you to be aware of the following:

  • Your first dose provided good protection against COVID-19.
  • The second dose appointment you currently have will remain booked unless you choose to get an earlier second dose appointment. It is not necessary that you rebook your appointment.
  • Your second dose appointment will not be automatically rebooked for you.
  • If you choose to rebook, you must look for a site that offers the same type of vaccine you received in your first dose.

The following options will be available for second doses:

  • Contact a local participating pharmacy for an available appointment – see LGL pharmacies and the available vaccine type at  COVID-19 pharmacy vaccine locations (ontario.ca)
  • Primary care (Moderna available at participating offices only)
  • Book an appointment at a Health Unit Fixed Site Vaccine clinic in Brockville, Almonte, Kemptville or Smiths Falls (Pfizer only) – You must change and book your new appointment in the same booking system. If you do not know which system you used, check the email you received or use the alpha numeric code you were given after your first dose appointment (you can also call the LGL call Centre for help). 

Here is how to re-book your second dose appointment:

  • Use the Province’s online booking tool at www.ontario.ca/bookvaccine or the Provincial Booking Phone-line at 1-888-999-6488, opens Monday 8:00am til 8:00pm. This system will be busy so checking later in the day or week may be better.
  • Call our local Leeds, Grenville, Lanark Booking Centre toll-free at 1-844-369-1234, open daily 8:30am to 4:00pm.
  • Add your name to the contingency list for extra doses at the end of a clinic (sign up is open from Tuesday June 1st at 8:00am until Wednesday June 2nd at 4:30pm) https://healthunit.org/health-information/covid-19/protection/contingency-list/

While our LGL Call Centre is open this Saturday and Sunday 8:30am – 4:30pm, the new age group will not be eligible to book until Monday at 8:00am. We expect the Call Centre phone lines will be busy and there may either be a long wait or your call may get dropped if there are too many in line. If this occurs, we encourage you to please call back later in the day or another day.

For more information about COVID-19 vaccine, visit https://healthunit.org/health-information/covid-19/protection/

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WHAT HAPPENS ON JUNE 2 IN ONTARIO?

I am reluctant to paraphrase the official media announcements from the government, however I have been asked so many questions in the past week that I am offering a “Coles Notes” summary on the Roadmap to Recovery. (Please refer to the Ontario government website for full details – https://files.ontario.ca/mof-framework-for-reopening-our-province-en-2020-04-27.pdf).

The stay-at-home order is expected to end on June 2.  The first stage of the Roadmap to Recovery is projected for the week of June 14.  Between June 2 and the beginning of Stage 1, the previous lockdown (“grey”) conditions from the regional framework will apply province wide, meaning that restrictions on indoor dining and retail operators will continue and includes those restrictions for recreation currently in place. 

The three-stage plan to reopen will depend on the province meeting vaccination thresholds: Stage 1 will begin when 60 per cent of the population over 18 has had at least one dose, Stage 2 with 70 per cent (and 20 per cent with both doses), and Stage 3 with 80 per cent having at least one dose and 25 per cent having two doses.

The restrictions lessen with each stage:

Stage One An initial focus on resuming outdoor activities with smaller crowds where the risk of transmission is lower, and permitting retail with restrictions. This includes allowing outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people, outdoor dining with up to four people per table and non-essential retail at 15 per cent capacity.

Stage Two Further expanding outdoor activities and resuming limited indoor services with small numbers of people where face coverings are worn. This includes outdoor gatherings of up to 25 people, outdoor sports and leagues, personal care services where face coverings can be worn and with capacity limits, as well as indoor religious services, rites or ceremony gatherings at 15 per cent capacity.

Stage Three Expanding access to indoor settings, with restrictions, including where there are larger numbers of people and where face coverings can’t always be worn. This includes indoor sports and recreational fitness; indoor dining, museums, art galleries and libraries, and casinos and bingo halls, with capacity limits.

In addition to vaccination thresholds, the government anticipates moving through the stages no faster than three weeks at a time. We’re not expected to enter Stage 1 until the week of June 14. In theory — if Ontario spends no more than 21 days each in Stages 1 and 2 — that could mean that Ontario will enter Stage 3 by late July.  

And of course, this is dependent on vaccination thresholds, ICU and hospital capacities and limited resurgence of new cases.  

Stay tuned, let’s hope for the best.  If there are changes to the timelines, I will keep you updated.

The light at the end of the tunnel is definitely brighter.

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Ontario Accelerates Rollout of Second Shots Targeting a Two-Dose Summer

May 28, 2021
Premier’s Office – Media Release

FOR INFORMATION ON HOW TO BOOK YOUR 2ND VACCINE, YOU CAN SCROLL DOWN TO THE 7TH PARAGRAPH.

TORONTO — Ontario has reached a key milestone in its fight against COVID-19, having achieved its target to administer first doses to 65 per cent of Ontarians aged 18 and over ahead of schedule. Ontario is also preparing to roll out the eligibility for accelerated second dose appointments starting with individuals aged 80 and over, beginning on May 31, 2021. If there is sufficient vaccine supply, it is anticipated that the majority of Ontario residents who choose to receive the vaccine will be able to be fully vaccinated by the end of summer.

“Team Ontario has shown what we can do when we have a steady and reliable supply of vaccines,” said Premier Ford. “Having made so much progress administering first doses, we are now in a position to begin delivering second doses for a two-dose summer. If we receive more vaccines from the federal government, we’ll be able to accelerate our rollout further to offer more protection to Ontarians even sooner.”

Due to a reliable and increased supply of vaccines throughout May, Ontario has been able to quickly expand eligibility and access at mass vaccinations sites, hospital clinics and pharmacies, with all Ontarians aged 12 and over eligible to book an appointment to receive the vaccine ahead of schedule. With over 8.6 million doses administered, and over 8 million people having received at least one dose, the province has reached its target to administer first doses to 65 per cent of Ontarians aged 18 and over by the end of May.

“Thanks to the efforts of our frontline health care heroes and community partners, our province has reached another exciting milestone of 65 per cent of Ontario adults having received their first dose,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “Accelerating second doses will provide more protection to Ontarians sooner. Every dose administered means we are one step closer to the end of the pandemic, and I encourage all Ontarians to get vaccinated and continue following public health advice.”

With two-thirds of the adult population having received at least one dose, Ontarians have been provided with a strong level of protection against COVID-19. Now Ontario is beginning to accelerate second doses for all Ontarians. While the interval between first and second doses can be up to 16 weeks, Ontario will begin to offer second dose appointments at an earlier interval, based on availability of vaccines. The timing of second dose appointments may vary based on local considerations, vaccine supply and the date of first dose appointment.

To support this accelerated rollout, the province has developed an anticipated schedule for eligibility to accelerate second doses based on confirmed supply. This will begin with individuals turning 80 and over in 2021, who will be eligible to book their second dose appointment expected to begin on May 31, 2021 at 8:00 a.m., followed by individuals aged 70 and over scheduled to begin the week of June 14, 2021. The province will then continue to expand eligibility for second dose appointments based on date of first dose. Ontario will further accelerate the rollout of second doses in the event that the federal government confirms increased vaccine deliveries.

Ontarians who have had their first dose and are eligible for an accelerated second dose may be able to return to the same site or channel where they received their first dose for their second dose appointment, or may choose to book an appointment at a different site or channel. Second dose appointments can be rebooked through the provincial booking system and through pharmacies. For those in public health units who use their own booking system, or who received their doses from the primary care provider or through a pop-up clinic, more information will follow on how and when second dose booking and rebooking will be available. Second dose appointments can also be booked (without a first appointment) in the provincial booking system.

Ontario has already begun offering second doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine at an accelerated pace with a 10-week interval for individuals who received their first dose between March 10 to March 19, 2021. Acceleration of AstraZeneca second doses will be provided at a 12-week interval, dependent on vaccine supply, with booking eligibility based on the date of the first dose. Eligible individuals are encouraged to contact the pharmacy or primary care provider where they received their first dose to book an appointment. They might be redirected to a local pharmacy that is participating in administering second doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Primary care settings and pharmacies may also be reaching out to eligible Ontarians. The province will provide further guidance based on advice expected shortly from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) with respect to administering doses of two different vaccine types. This advice will be provided in advance of the 12-week interval when most people are needing to receive their second dose.

“As Ontario’s vaccine rollout continues, we are expanding our distribution plan in response to medical expertise, evidence and the availability of vaccines,” said Solicitor General Sylvia Jones. “Accelerating the scheduling for second doses and providing individuals with the option of also receiving their second dose earlier, will allow a greater number of people to be fully vaccinated sooner.”

The government also continues to roll out first doses to Ontarians. Recently the province expanded eligibility to youth aged 12 and over to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment through the provincial booking system and call centre, and public health units that use their own booking systems, as well as at select pharmacies administering the Pfizer vaccine. To ensure as many youth as possible are fully vaccinated before the start of the school year, the province expects to provide a first dose to all willing youth aged 12 to 17 before the end of June, and a second dose before the end of August 2021. To ensure access to COVID-19 vaccination for youth aged 12 to 17 in Ontario’s 31 fly-in northern communities and Moosonee, Ornge will lead Operation Remote Immunity 2.0 starting on May 31, 2021. The province is expecting to administer first and second doses to youth aged 12 and over in each of these communities by the end of July.

This significant progress has enabled the government to allow the provincial declaration of emergency and Stay-at-Home Order to expire on June 2. The province’s emergency brake will remain in effect, with public health measures and restrictions still in place, until the province is ready to enter Step One of Ontario’s Roadmap to Reopen. Step One may begin as early as two weeks after 60 per cent of Ontario’s adults receive at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and if key indicators, such as risk of COVID-19 variants, hospitalizations, ICU occupancy and new hospital admissions and case rates continue to decline. Based on current trends in key health indicators, the province expects to enter Step One of the Roadmap the week of June 14, 2021. The province will confirm timelines closer to the expected start of Step One.