Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced today at a press conference that further COVID-19 restrictions are likely to be placed on the most affected areas of Ontario. They will be discussed today and tomorrow before an official decision is made. Ford has not ruled out anything, and says all the required steps must be taken to stop the virus, no matter what.
The Premier says that one countermeasure his provincial government is taking to stop the spread of COVID-19 is deploying 200 provincial offence officers throughout at-risk yellow and orange COVID zones. The officers will be visiting business to ensure that they are doing what is required under the new guidelines. All businesses that require a COVID-19 action plan will now be required to submit the plan to the provincial government in writing.
Premier Ford made it clear that while the majority of businesses have been following the guidelines laid out by his administration, he will not show mercy to those who choose to violate said guidelines.
“Anyone who knowingly and deliberately breaks the rules, we will not hesitate to find you and shut you down.”
the Premier later added that “this virus spreads like wildfire. It hurts your customers, it hurts your workers and it hurts your community. It’s that simple.”
Premier Ford also commented on the availability of a vaccine in Ontario, saying that the Province is expected to receive enough vaccines to immunize 1.2 million Ontarians, with 800,000 doses coming from Pfizer, and an additional 400,000 doses coming from Moderna. Canadian Health Minister Christine Elliott said on Wednesday that Canada could begin receiving the vaccines as early as January of 2021.
Ford’s full press conference is available below:
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