Based from the article it seems so, not sure what they're regulating there though.
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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:
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.”
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.
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.”
Doug Ford clarifies he just meant that non-white immigrants didn’t work hard enough
QUEEN’S PARK – After coming under fire for remarks that immigrants who “collect the dole and sit around” should “go somewhere else,” Ontario Premier Doug Ford clarified that he only meant those comments for immigrants who aren’t white.
“I should have been more clear in my statements,” Ford announced to a press gallery at Queen’s Park, “When I suggested that we don’t want immigrants that don’t work, I simply meant brown, Black and Asian people. White folks got the money to lounge around.”
Numerous MPPs have called upon the Premier to apologize for his remarks, or at least rephrase his statement for being a little too on the nose for the Progressive Conservative government.
Ford went on to clarify more about his controversial statement, saying “I don’t wish to disrespect any of the great nations of the USA, UK, France, Germany, or Poland. As for Italy and Ireland, prove yourselves.”
Ford made the comments Monday after remarking on a lack of workers for infrastructure projects the Ontario government funded by stripping supports from workers.
When reporter Changez Abidi asked whether Ford honestly reflected on the allegations of racism he’s received over the past year, the Premier asked the room if the question could come from someone a little less “ethnic”.
QUEEN’S PARK – After coming under fire for remarks that immigrants who “collect the dole and sit around” should “go somewhere else,” Ontario Premier Doug Ford clarified that he only meant those comments for immigrants who aren’t white.
“I should have been more clear in my statements,” Ford announced to a press gallery at Queen’s Park, “When I suggested that we don’t want immigrants that don’t work, I simply meant brown, Black and Asian people. White folks got the money to lounge around.”
Numerous MPPs have called upon the Premier to apologize for his remarks, or at least rephrase his statement for being a little too on the nose for the Progressive Conservative government.
“We already knew he didn’t like racialized people,” said NDP MPP Doly Begum, “all we’re asking is that he be a little more subtle about it like a proud Canadian.”Ford went on to clarify more about his controversial statement, saying “I don’t wish to disrespect any of the great nations of the USA, UK, France, Germany, or Poland. As for Italy and Ireland, prove yourselves.”
Ford made the comments Monday after remarking on a lack of workers for infrastructure projects the Ontario government funded by stripping supports from workers.
“If people don’t want to work for a government that slashes supports, pay raises and union protections then we need hard working immigrants coming here to fill the gap.” Ford continued, “Unless you’re a white real estate developer looking to flip some houses to make bank, in which case we’re open for business!”When reporter Changez Abidi asked whether Ford honestly reflected on the allegations of racism he’s received over the past year, the Premier asked the room if the question could come from someone a little less “ethnic”.
Lol is Doug ford parodying himself here or what? Why does he think he's redeeming himself with an explanation even more bigoted than the original comment
It is an Onion-like satire publication. Figured this one was fairly obvious.
Is it just me, or each time he tries to clarifies himself, the more racist he becomes. Next thing you know, he'll be saying, I want to clarify something, "I'm racist.".
Yea that’s from a satire news site. I don’t think the Tories can afford to be THAT openly bigoted anymore with the kind of immigrant population in Canada now lol. Last I heard the only open bigot didn’t win a single seat
You are quoting the The Beaverton. You know this is a satirical website and everything they post there is fake and meant as a joke, right?
D
Deleted member 1050918
Guest
No that is an official government news website. Canada is a joke of a country after all.
D
Deleted member 1050918
Guest
A full year (for some peeps two years) of suffering, uncertainty, darkness, all that pain was just for this tweet; just so that he could tweet exactly that. See peeps? We suffered so much for a little tweet.
My humble advice to all prospective immigrants who are now outlanders, keep your expectations about Canada at a minimum, for the country will not stop surprising you in what ways it can fail you and itself.
Then why bother immigrating?
D
Deleted member 1050918
Guest
Yeah, I'll give you that. The US system is really messed up.
