Ontario enters Phase 2 of COVID-19 vaccine rollout as calls to vaccinate teachers grow | FULL

Ontario is beginning Phase 2 of its COVID-19 vaccine rollout, Premier Doug Ford announced on Tuesday.

Ford clarified which groups are eligible to receive the vaccine in Phase 2, including some essential workers but eligibility for teachers will not be until at least mid-May.

The premier said that high-risk essential workers that have priority include those who work in the manufacturing sector and meat-packing industries where outbreaks have often occurred. The clarification comes amid a push by unions and Ontario opposition leaders to offer vaccines to education workers.

While schools remain open during the shutdown, some health units have ordered schools to close with Peel Region's medical officer of health invoking powers under Ontario law to order all local schools to move to remote learning starting Tuesday.

Global News has learned Toronto schools will be temporarily shut down for in-person learning starting Wednesday as well.

The medical officers for Toronto, Peel and Ottawa have also sent a letter to Ontario's top doctor, Dr. David Williams, requesting that the provincial government implement a provincewide stay-at-home order and consider additional restrictions amid the third wave of COVID-19.

For more info, please go to https://globalnews.ca/news/7740954/unions-politicians-ontario-calls-vaccinate-teachers-schools/

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