Several Local MPPs have written to Education Minister Stephen Lecce, asking him to put certain precautions in place to prevent future school closures.
Three Niagara MPPs are urging the province to take action to protect kids and teachers before in-person schooling returns on Monday.
MPPs Jennie Stevens, Wayne Gates and Jeff Burch, along with NDP candidate Dave Augustyn, have written a letter to Education Minister Stephen Lecce.
They're calling for precautions such as testing and reporting COVID-19 cases in schools, reducing the number of students in each classroom, and providing in-school clinics for students in the 5-11 age group.
"It is of the utmost importance to test and report COVID-19 cases in schools in order to continue to isolate close contacts and try to minimize case positivity", the letter reads. "There are numerous ways in which we can work together to meet this goal, namely by reducing the number of students in each classroom to allow for social distancing, reducing bus loads, improving ventilation in classrooms, and providing free N95 masks for all teachers and education workers, will go a long way in ensuring our schools stay open."
The group also says the province needs a local booster clinic dedicated to education staff.
The MPPs also note that Niagara has a high proportion of seniors, and community spreads in schools put that group at risk.
Meanwhile, Minister Lecce and Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore will take the podium today to discuss the province's plan for Monday's return to in-person classes.
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