Type of Intervention: Specific Action
Sectors Involved: Education, Private Sector and Businesses
Intervention Categories: Social and physical distancing measures; Reopening schools; Planning and strategy; Creation of or release of plans
Level of Jurisdiction: Ontario
Lead People/Agency: Premier Doug Ford, Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, and Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education, Dr. Ronald Cohn, President and CEO of The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids)
Overview: The Ontario government has announced a plan to reopen child care centres across the province, supporting the next stage of reopening. This plan was developed in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and medical leaders at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). The plan requires the implementation of several strict health protocols by child care operators to ensure safety of children, families, and staff. Specific rules of the plan include strategies like cohorting, screening, taking daily attendance records, enhanced cleaning practices and pick up and drop off protocols that facilitate physical distancing.
Full details here: https://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2020/06/ontario-helping-parents-return-to-work.html
Type of Justification: Advice of INTERNAL government advisory committee or group, Advice of EXTERNAL expert advisor or advisory committee
Evidence/Justification: This plan was developed in consultation with Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health and medical leaders at The Hospital for Sick Children. Additionally, the Ministries of Health and Labour, Training and Skills Development are working in collaboration with these entities and with child care operators to develop appropriate health and safety protocols. The government justifies the reopening of child care centres due to the integral role of child care in restarting Ontario’s economy. It will allow parents to return to work and children thrive when they interact with their peers.