Effective on Saturday at 12:01 am, Ontario is imposing a province-wide emergency brake shutdown. This is due to the rising case numbers as Ontario is reporting roughly 2,500 new cases of COVID-19 today. The lockdown is expected to last at least 4 weeks.
From March 26 to 28, provincial case rates have increased by 7.7 per cent to 101.1 cases per 100,000 people. Current COVID-19 related ICU admissions are already over the peak of wave two. ICU admissions are projected to exceed 650 beds in a few weeks.
Ontario is reporting 2,557 cases of #COVID19 and nearly 62,300 tests completed. Locally, there are 743 new cases in Toronto, 484 in Peel, 311 in York Region, 131 in Ottawa, 119 in Hamilton and 107 in Durham.
— Christine Elliott (@celliottability) April 1, 2021
So what are the restrictions during the shutdown?
- Prohibiting indoor organized public events and social gatherings. Outside gatherings are allowed with only five people maximum.
- Restricting in-person shopping. Supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, indoor farmers’ markets, other stores that primarily sell food and pharmacies will have 50% capacity. Other big-box retail stores will have a 25% capacity.
- Prohibiting personal care services (Hair salons, spas), prohibiting personal fitness services (Gyms)
- Prohibiting indoor and outdoor dining. Restaurants still can open and will be permitted to operate by take-out, drive-through, and delivery only.
- Requiring Day Camps to close
- Limiting capacity at weddings, funerals, and religious services, rites or ceremonies to 15% occupancy per room indoors, and to the number of individuals that can maintain two metres of physical distance outdoors.
Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford said in a statement that pulling the trigger on the shutdown order was a difficult decision, but it’s the right one.
“We are facing a serious situation and drastic measures are required to contain the rapid spread of the virus, especially the new variants of concern,” said Premier Ford. “I know pulling the emergency brake will be difficult on many people across the province, but we must try and prevent more people from getting infected and overwhelming our hospitals. Our vaccine rollout is steadily increasing, and I encourage everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated. That is our best protection against this deadly virus.”
Official Opposition NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said in a statement that Ford walked us into the new lockdown.
“While experts were warning him of the explosive growth of more infectious and more deadly variants, he cancelled public health protections. He marched us right into grave danger,” said NDP Leader Horwath. “There is more mixed messaging. There are no financial supports for small businesses. There are no paid sick days and no comprehensive testing in essential workplaces. There is no cap on class sizes so kids can social distance in schools. And no comprehensive plan to get the vaccine to essential workers and no paid time off to get the shot. This approach failed Ontarians before and I am fearful it will fail again.”
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