The Province has launched a new Covid-19 Action Plan to protect Ontario’s most vulnerable people.
This plan aims to further protect people living in high-risk settings, including homes serving people with developmental disabilities, shelters for survivors of gender-based violence and human trafficking, children’s residential settings, and residential settings supporting vulnerable Indigenous individuals and families both on and off reserve.
Minister of Children, Community and Social Services Todd Smith says the next 48 hours will see several actions put in place.
“We know there are immediate pressures facing congregated residential settings outside long term care,” he said. “And we know homes serving those with developmental disabilities, shelters for survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking, homeless shelters and children and youth residential settings are at higher risk for Covid-19 transmission.”
The immediate actions will include increased screening of staff, visitors and residents at places like youth and homeless shelters and residential facilities.
Masks will also be made mandatory in high risk settings and measures to control infection, contraction, case tracing will be made. Limits on staff mobility will be put in place. Maintaining staff levels will also be a priority, he said, as will managing staff shortages at the facilities.
For more information on the new Covid-19 action Plan for Vulnerable People, click here
As we implement our Vulnerable Populations COVID-19 Action Plan, we are continuing to work across ministries & levels of government, as well as with our sector partners & agencies to identify additional measures that will aid us in the battle against #COVID19. #OntarioSpirit pic.twitter.com/gOyfxYuOQn
— Todd Smith (@ToddSmithCANDU) April 23, 2020
Today we announced further action to ensure vulnerable people are protected. Our #COVID19 Action Plan for Vulnerable People will build on and support the critical work that our frontline workers are doing. Learn more: https://t.co/QnvbM82o4m pic.twitter.com/GiwLL8LKv7
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) April 23, 2020
To watch today’s (April 23rd) Provincial press conference, which included Minister Smith, see below.