Ontario’s COVID-19 science table says the province can re-open schools safely on a regional basis while limiting the risk of further virus transmission.

The new advice comes in response to Premier Doug Ford’s request for input on whether or not the province should reopen schools as virus cases trend downward.

The group says some regions could reopen based on the advice of local medical officers of health and continued adherence to public health measures.

They say the closure is harming some students’ physical and mental health and reopening would allow schools to re-establish contact with teachers and peers.

The province closed schools in April as COVID-19 cases surged and Ford has said he wants a consensus on the issue from stakeholders before making a decision.

The science table recently said reopening schools could cause COVID-19 case rates to rise between six and 11%.