Ontario just opened up its COVID vaccine booking system to scores of new people in the province as the government takes another huge step toward expediting its previously far-too-gradual rollout.

As of 8 a.m. on Monday, all those 18+ who live in one of 114 designated hotspot postal codes will finally be able to book their first shot at a mass clinic through either the provincial online booking system or that of their local public health unit.

[ON] 18+ in all HOTSPOT POSTALS will be eligible TMRW May 3 @ 8:00 a.m. to book @ a mass immunization clinic through provincial system OR directly through PHUs. Read the full press release: https://t.co/sj5T7IwYms #COVID19 #COVID19Vaccine #COVID19ON #vhcON pic.twitter.com/IpEuZhCBCM

— Vaccine Hunters Canada (@VaxHuntersCan) May 2, 2021

This means that those in the hardest-hit parts of the province will no longer have to wait in thousands-long lineups outside of pop-up clinics for hours, only to potentially be turned away due to lack of supply anyway.

Instead, they can simply pre-book an appointment time in advance, making for, hopefully, a much smoother and more organized process.

All residents 18 and older in hot spots are now eligible to book appointments at City-run clinics.

Book now:
💻https://t.co/e5JSvWjSxD
📱1-833-943-3900 pic.twitter.com/POYt6C5W4z

— John Tory (@JohnTory) May 3, 2021

The announcement, which came over the weekend, follows the news that Premier Doug Ford and his team anticipate all adults provincewide will be able to book a shot through the general portal starting May 24 — far sooner than initially planned.

Minister of Health Christine Elliott also stated last week that we will now be getting increased and "more predictable" shipments of vaccines, which will make a drastic difference to our inoculation program, allowing things to finally speed up to match other parts of the world that Ontarians have been watching vaccinate with envy.

[ON] Hey Ontario! We know you have a lot of questions about this 18+ hotspot thing tomorrow at 8AM. We've put together a nice FAQ for ya to answer the questions to the best of our ability. Remember 8AM tomorrow! #COVID19 #COVID19Vaccine #COVID19ON #vhcON pic.twitter.com/1k7Gk2oRpS

— Vaccine Hunters Canada (@VaxHuntersCan) May 3, 2021

The province will also be opening up online bookings to additional groups, including anyone aged 50 and over in 2021 and those with one of a number of high-risk health conditions, starting this Thursday.

Residents can book at any clinic location in any region of the province where an appointment is available.