Science and health experts say it’s safe to open Ontario’s schools for the rest of the school year on a regional basis.

Ontario’s COVID-19 Science Advisory Table is sending a letter to Premier Doug Ford, saying schools should be the last sector to close and the first to open.

Ford asked for advice on the matter on Thursday in a letter to health officials across the province.

The group of scientists and health officials says that even one month back in classrooms with be highly beneficial for students.

Its membership also recommends using the summer to make schools safer, like improving school ventilation units and vaccinating students.

The organization adds that alongside re-opening schools, the province needs to speed up vaccinations for the whole population to reduce the spread of the virus outside the classroom.

It says its modelling suggests in-person schooling would only cause a small increase in cases, adding most health units have said they could handle that increase.