Today the Ford government announced further restrictions in an attempt to control the third wave of the pandemic.
With Ontario logging record-high daily numbers of COVID-19 cases and an alarming increase in ICU admissions, new public health measures will be implemented this weekend.
Among the new restrictions, which start at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, April 17, are:
Outdoor social gatherings are limited to members of the of the same household. Those living alone can still gather with one other household.
Outdoor amenities like playgrounds, soccer fields, and golf courses will be closed. Outdoor activities, either alone or with household members, like going for a walk or exercising a pet, are still permitted.
Non-essential construction will be paused.
Essential big box retail will have indoor limits reduced to 25 per cent.
Checkpoints will be implemented at Ontario’s borders with Manitoba and Quebec, with exceptions made for those entering for essential purposes. Premier Ford called on the federal government to also tighten restrictions at international borders and on air travel.
Police now have the ability to stop someone not at their residence and ask where they live and what their purpose is for being away from home. Non-compliance with provincial orders can result in a $750 fine.
Inspectors will also be checking offices, like law and accounting firms, to ensure that only essential workers are present.
The stay-at-home order that began on April 8 will be extended from four weeks to six.
And starting on Monday, April 19, religious services, wedding ceremonies, and funeral services are limited to 10 people.
Curbside pick-up and delivery can continue for non-essential businesses.
In a briefing earlier in the day, Ontario’s COVID-19 science advisory table said, “Without stronger system-level measures and immediate support for essential workers and high-risk communities, high case rates will persist
through the summer.”
Their modelling shows that six weeks of stronger public health measures combined with 100,000 vaccines per day (noted in the green dashed line in the graph below) have the best chance of flatten the curve. Without the new measures, modelling suggests case numbers would reach more than 10,000 per day by the end of May.
However, even with the new, stricter public health measures, cases are not expected to peak until later this month.
“A 6 week stay-at-home order with a vaccination rate of at
least 100K doses per day is the only way to flatten the curve,” says Ontario’s COVID-19 science advisory table
ICU admissions are also expected to continue to increase, as they always lag behind an increase in cases. Even best-case scenario projections have those numbers at more than 1,000 by the end of the month.
The science table noted that case numbers could be reduced even further with more vaccines. The province intends to direct 25 per cent of any new vaccine supply to hotspot areas.
“As we see the trends in key health indicators deteriorate to levels far exceeding anything we have seen before, it is necessary to follow public health and workplace safety measures given this continued and rapid case growth,” said Dr. David Williams, Chief Medical Officer of Health. “By staying at home and limiting travel for essential purposes only, such as getting groceries or going to a medical appointment or to get vaccinated, we can reduce mobility and help interrupt transmission of this virus.”
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I believe that no one have any confidence that wearing a mask, keeping distance, using sanitizers actually works to prevent covid 19 spread.
One of the many reasons why I say that is from a personal experience.
I went to a hospital for a treatment and they do ensured strict covid protocol.
Mask, distancing for everyone, nurses with masks gloves and shields helping patients.
The day after, got a phone call that there was a outbreak with a 4 days concern at the facility and I was to take a covid test online and was quarantined.
I could imagine 100’s and 100’s of people including hospital staff had to go through testing.
My point is, if taking all these precautions that are put on us… why was I asked to be tested for covid.
The most recent stay-at-home order will end May 20 unless it is extended further.
Does the new stay at home extension include the May 24 long weekend?
If not Muskoka will be flooded with possible infected visitors.
What are is are the dates for the 6 week closure?
So, let me get this straight….
I cannot drive back by myself into Ontario to deal with a family estate matter. Even after being vaccinated in another province. And knowing that I will self isolate once I get to a place where we have been paying Ontario taxes since 1904.
But I CAN fly back to Ontario. Or take a train. Or a bus. Or drive up from the States. And spend more money getting there.
None of this makes sense.
James Rockwell…..Your argument, like many others that your “freedoms” are being infringed upon by measures to suppress the spread of the pandemic shows a complete lack of understanding of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom (1982). I suspect that this is a function of not knowing the differences between the essence of the Canadian Charter and the US Constitution (which gets much more media/internet attention than the Canadian Charter)
Section 1 of the Charter (notably the first section of the Charter) speaks specifically to the limitations on individual rights and freedoms as “prescribed by law as can be justified in a free and democratic society”. It is noteworthy that this was added as it did not appear in the Canadian Bill of Rights (1960) which it replaced
Since its introduction in 1982, limitations on “freedoms” have challenged countless time. So now in practice, there are a number conditions that need to be met to limit freedoms. But in general these conditions must be “reasonable” and “demonstrably justified”
The onus is on the government limiting the freedoms to prove that conditions are met. But I have no doubt that based on the scientific data (i.e. knowledge how the virus spreads) and the consequences of inaction (i.e. death and social disruption) restricting travel; restriction congregation etc, all are “reasonable” and “demonstrably justified”.
So you can advise others to or challenge yourself, the constitutionality of the imposed limitations, but you most certainly will lose. Indeed Section 1 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms was added in 1982 specifically to address moments like this……In Canada, community rights always top individual rights by law
People, stop listening to Ford. Start listening to the health experts! Dr Jüni is the head of the health advisory panel and just confirmed that Ford did not use any of their recommdations. More proof this is being treated as a political issue, not a health emergency.
You can’t see it, hear it, smell it or taste it but it floats around and you could be carrying it and not know you have it for weeks or maybe not ever if you are one of the non symptomatic carriers.
A mask merely slows it down a bit.
One can go off about “rights and freedoms” but if your dead from complications, that piece of paper with the original Trudeau’s signature on it does not look like it means a heck of a lot that is practical.
I’m afraid a legal system, does not override natural physical actions or science. It mostly just makes fools of some of us and lawyers richer.
Work to get a vaccination and wait for travel. Is there really anywhere you absolutely have to go other than to get some food and essentials?
Em. Arde.
You have said it all. Logic and reason. just wished more people thought the same way!
Something has to be done about the travelling, This I believe is the major source of infection.
Unless more people accept this fact it could be a long hot (deadly) summer!
The situation has gotten out of hand!
Occasionally we have to believe in miracles.
Or, you could check your indignation at the door, and just adhere to the “rules” they are asking us to adhere to. I just want to see COVID in the rear view mirror. If that means I can’t leave my province, or even my town, fine. Let’s dig in, hunker down, and stop spreading this thing around. This kind of lockdown should have been put in place as soon as COVID became a “thing”.
Unfortunately, for some reason or another, every news outlet seems to be omitting the fact that as Canadians we have a constitution which affirms and protects our charter of rights and freedoms. One of those rights is the freedom to move freely within our borders.
I am not an anti vaccine person, to the contrary, I am; pro mask, pro vaccine, pro regulation, but beyond that I am pro charter rights, for all citizens.
I suggest to any citizen, should you be questioned by police about you’re exercising your freedoms, to accept their fine and immediately contact a lawyer or legal aid and take your ticket to court. The provincial government cannot usurp the constitution or our rights as citizens and tax payers.
Limiting/restricting interprovincial travel, BUT, you can still stay at lodges, motels and hotels.
Sounds like a definite maybe too me..
Restricting international and interprovincial travel is the only reasonable solution.
Then theirs always the vaccine problems. Maybe the sun will shine tomorrow?
Ummm there’s this thing called the Charter of Rights and Freedoms… That guarantees freedom of movement. Looking forward to getting my ticket, see you in Court!