Ontario's top doctor defends lifting capacity on parades, talks school restrictions | FULL

Ontario's chief medical officer of health Dr. Kieran Moore defended the decision by the province to lift capacity limits on public events like Santa Claus parades, saying they can go forward safely. But he added distancing needs to be monitored and masks should be worn if distancing isn't possible.

Moore discussed the decision during a public health briefing on Thursday.

As the province lifts more restrictions like with removing the vaccine certificate requirements expected in January, Moore said they would be "conservative" in lifting public health measures in schools. He argued this is in part due to there not being confirmation the 5-11 age group will see vaccinations yet. He also said they've be careful in lifting restrictions in vulnerable settings.

He also took questions about the possibility of adding a COVID-19 vaccination status to the Immunization of School Pupils Act, similar to polio or the mumps. Moore said that "at present" it will not be mandatory for students to report their COVID-19 vaccination status as part of the Immunization Student Pupils Act (ISPA). He said if COVID-19 persists "season after season" they would review integrating the vaccine into the ISPA, but they will not at this time.

The province reported 409 new cases on Thursday, with three new deaths.

For more info, please go to https://globalnews.ca/news/8331469/ontario-long-term-care-legislation/

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