Ontario aims to end all COVID-19 restrictions by March, Doug Ford says
The end of Ontario’s pandemic restrictions could be on the horizon, Doug Ford says.
The province is now beginning a six-month countdown to the lifting of all restrictions with two important caveats: as long as COVID-19 trends remain good and a vaccine-resistant strain doesn’t arrive.
“We can see the end of this pandemic in sight, but it’s not over yet. We can’t get too comfortable or let our guard down, but we’re going to begin getting back to the lives we want,” the premier told a news conference Friday.
Ford thanked the 83 per cent of fully vaccinated Ontarians who “rolled up your sleeves” for getting the province this far and urged holdouts to get their shots, stressing the continued reopening depends on people remaining cautious.
“If we do not see the numbers in a stable place we’re just not going to do it. It’s as simple as that.”
As previously reported by the Star, the province will lift customer capacity limits and physical distancing requirements Monday in restaurants, bars, gyms, casinos, bingo halls, bowling alleys, dance studios and indoor event spaces.
Ford detailed the plan to “incrementally” drop all pandemic safety measures — including mask-wearing — by the end of March, with five key dates between now and then. The proof-of-vaccination system could begin a phaseout as early as Jan. 17.
Some critics maintained that’s too soon and risks undermining the urgent push to get more Ontarians vaccinated and improve protection levels.
“We need to do everything possible to increase vaccine uptake,” said Green Leader Mike Schreiner. “Ford’s plans to lift public health restrictions when vaccine certificates have only just begun and millions of kids remain ineligible for vaccines is worrisome, especially as we head into the winter months.”
Business groups applauded the lifting of capacity limits starting Monday but asked for financial help to cover the cost of screening customers for proof-of-vaccination and signalled frustration at the delay in letting them fully open.
“We hope this puts an end to government policies that favour large businesses, like big box stores or large sporting venues,” said Dan Kelly, president of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.
The CFIB, Restaurants Canada and other groups were infuriated two weeks ago when Ontario suddenly lifted capacity limits on venues like the Scotiabank Arena with no explanation as to why smaller businesses were left behind.
New Democrat Leader Andrea Horwath backed the CFIB’s call for more government financial support, saying “small businesses won’t be able to catch up overnight.”
Capacity limits and physical distancing restrictions will also be lifted Monday in barber shops, hair and nail salons, museums, galleries, indoor areas of amusement parks and boat tours, among others — but only if they choose to join the provincial proof-of-vaccination system that began Sept. 22.
Businesses doing so must post notices for their customers, said chief medical officer Dr. Kieran Moore.
The key dates for lifting restrictions in stages until March 28 are an incentive for Ontarians to remain cautious, said epidemiologist Todd Coleman of Wilfrid Laurier University, but there are no details on what infection or hospitalization levels will be used to make decisions.
“It’s very clear that this plan is a way to instill some optimism but it’s extremely conditional,” added Coleman, a former public health official in London, Ont. “It’s like saying I may buy a new house if I win the lottery.”
The target dates for easing restrictions are:
- Nov. 15: Ending of capacity limits in “higher risk” settings where proof of vaccination is required, such as night clubs, wedding receptions with dancing, strip clubs, bathhouses and sex clubs.
- Jan. 17: Providing there are no “concerning trends” following Christmas holiday gatherings and the return to classroom, capacity limits will be “gradually” lifted in other settings where proof of vaccination is not required. As well, the proof of vaccination requirement could begin lifting in restaurants, bars, casinos, bingo halls and similar venues.
- Feb. 7: Proof of vaccination could be lifted in night clubs, strip clubs, bathhouses and sex clubs.
- March 28: Any remaining public health and workplace safety measures will be gone providing COVID-19 trends are good — including an end to mask-wearing indoors. Proof of vaccination will be lifted for sporting events, theatres and cinemas, concerts and other venues.
Ford’s plan allows for local health units to reintroduce capacity limits or other measures such as distancing should COVID-19 case levels warrant, with province-wide measures in “exceptional circumstances, such as if the province’s public health system capacity is at risk of becoming overwhelmed.
Earlier Friday, the science table advising Ford said public health measures like masking and vaccination certification should remain in place into the winter to maintain control of the virus and keep case levels stable.
In the worst-case scenario, computer modelling suggests the number of new cases could rise to just over 600 a day by the end of November, compared with a mid-range trajectory of 500 and fewer than 200 in the best-case situation. Ontario reported 492 new cases Friday, with the seven-day average steady at 406.
In a warning, the science table says the experiences of Denmark and Finland that dropped masking and other public health measures show “opening up too much, too fast can lead to a surge.”