They simply can't get enough CEC's to meet their target. Travel restrictions will be in place till the Fall atleast. They are likely picking inland candidates in stages. The big one was last month since Canadian experience has always been gold. They won't wait for the CEC's to fill up the pool.
They can also avoid the trouble of changing the EE system by filtering the pool and only considering inland applicants.
Just recently I had to resubmit my application due to an expired test report. I was asked whether i reside in Canada or not. It's easy to filter. Only IRCC can make it official.
The minister has even pinned a tweet and given multiple interviews emphasizing inland applicants. They don't want people to feel hopeless and leave I guess.
Yes, looking at all the points that you've mentioned I think it is quite rational to think that they wouldn't let any inland applicants walk away just like that. Because each one has a unique scenario and not all of them manage to hop on the other side of gaining 1 year Canadian experience in the given time frame, especially during a pandemic.