Toronto, Ontario — Mere hours after a multitude of manufacturing organizations called on provincial regulators to allow for paid time off for employees to get vaccinated, Ontario Premier Doug Ford instituted a provincewide stay-at-home order.
During his Wednesday afternoon press conference, Ford said that vaccinations would be available for anyone over 18 in hot spots such as Toronto and neighbouring Peel Region next week.
Manufacturing workers, however, have been told that the earliest potential inoculation is June, according to reports from Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME).
The organization wants the province to prioritize essential production workers right after front-line workers and seniors. It’s offering help to speed the vaccination rollout, including using industrial sites and resources to deliver vaccines.
President of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association (APMA), Flavio Volpe, voiced his satisfaction with Ford’s announcement.
“Auto suppliers have made PPE and life-saving medical products to help keep Canada safe,” said Volpe.
“We’ve built safe workplaces, we test on the spot. Vaccinations on site is the final critical step.”
Vaccines will be administered in about 120 postal codes currently being hit hardest by COVID-19.
