Children’s Health Coalition urges Ontario government to ‘exercise caution’ when lifting public health measures

With Ontario set to announce more lifted COVID-19 restrictions, the Children’s Health Coalition — which includes CHEO — is asking the Ontario government that schools be prioritized in its distribution of Rapid Antigen Test kits.

In a letter sent to Premier Doug Ford on Thursday, February 10, the coalition said that while it's pleased more tests are being made available to Ontarians, it’s asking the government to exercise caution in lifting public health measures in schools.

“Parents and families should be able to access [Rapid Antigen Tests] from their school or daycare when they need it,” the letter detailed. “Kids, parents, and families have been subject to many rules and changes throughout the pandemic. They need stability.”

We must ensure that every school, child care & health care setting continue to be prioritized in the distribution of RATs. We ask @ONgov to exercise caution in lifting public health measures in schools too fast & too soon while we remain in the Omicron wave. Read our statement. pic.twitter.com/yw07G7S2ks

— childrenshealthcoalition (@CHCOntario) February 9, 2022

According to the coalition, Ontario has a comprehensive school safety plan which includes important public health mitigation measures, and they wish for the Ontario government to continue with this plan.

“We remain optimistic there will be a point when we can adjust these measures — but now is not the time,” the coalition wrote. “Many of our children remain unvaccinated, including those under five who are ineligible, and without that level of protection, they are at risk of contracting COVID-19 illness.”

They highlight that complex and medically fragile kids continue to be at a greater risk of the effects of COVID.

“That’s why we must all continue to promote vaccination, masking and reducing of contacts to protect kids and their health. We all have a part to play in keeping our children healthy.”

Dr. Kieran Moore is expected to announce the Ontario government’s plan to speed up the reopening timeline for the province and lift capacity restrictions earlier than currently scheduled.

Under the current guidelines, further measures would be lifted on February 21, when all capacity limits at indoor settings where proof of vaccination is required would be lifted, and large spectator venues could return to 50 per cent capacity. The remaining capacity limits are set to be lifted on March 14.

However, Health Minister Christine Elliott said at a news conference in Kitchener that the provincial government has no plans currently to drop the passport vaccination situation or masking.

Dr. Moore, along with Premier Doug Ford, has shifted pandemic messaging in recent weeks, suggesting it’s time for Ontarians to “learn to live” with the virus. During his briefing last week, Moore said masking will likely be the last measure to go and said the province will need to reassess the vaccine passport system moving forward.

– With files from CityNews’ Michael Ranger