Ontario will head into province-wide lockdown Boxing Day (Dec 26th) in an effort to curb rising Covid-19 cases and head off worst-case projections.
Today Premier Doug Ford said it’s necessary to save lives and prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed in the coming weeks.
“Make no mistake,” he said, “thousands of lives are at stake right now. If we fail to take action now the consequences could be catastrophic.”
The temporary one-time measure includes asking Ontarians to stay at home and leave only when necessary.
Essential businesses like pharmacies and grocery stores will remain open with capacities. Other businesses will offer only curbside service.
Lockdown Measures include:
- Restricting indoor organized public events and social gatherings, except with members of the same household (the people you live with). Individuals who live alone may consider having exclusive close contact with one other household.
- Prohibiting in-person shopping in most retail settings – curbside pickup and delivery can continue. Discount and big-box retailers selling groceries will be limited to 25 per cent capacity for in-store shopping. Supermarkets, grocery stores and similar stores that primarily sell food, as well as pharmacies, will continue to operate at 50 per cent capacity for in-store shopping.
- Restricting indoor access to shopping malls – patrons may only go to a designated indoor pickup area (by appointment only), essential retail stores that are permitted to be open (e.g. pharmacy, grocery store), or, subject to physical distancing and face-covering requirements, to the food court for takeout purchases. Shopping malls may also establish outdoor designated pickup areas.
- Prohibiting indoor and outdoor dining. Restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments will be permitted to operate by take-out, drive-through, and delivery only.
The lockdown will last 28 days in southern Ontario and 14 days north of Sudbury.
School closures will be extended to Jan. 11 for elementary schools. High School students go back to classroom Jan 25.
The news follows emergency meetings throughout the weekend with CEO’s at Ontario hospitals.
Ford says travelling between regions in Ontario continues spreading cases. There’s also been a 70 per cent increase in hospitalizations in the past few weeks.
The Premier says we need to preserve capacity in ICU and hospitals and that we are on the verge of cancelling more elective surgeries – already there are thousands of backlogged surgeries.
Ford is also extremely alarmed by reports of an even more contagious new strain of Covid-19 that’s been identified.
He says we need to ensure the border is secure and that we are catching cases before they spread here.
Ford says Ontario needs to test air travellers when they arrive at the airport. It will be months before we have mass immunizations.
Today, I announced that Ontario will enter a province wide shutdown starting at 12:01AM on December 26. This difficult action is necessary to save lives & prevent our hospitals from being overwhelmed in the coming weeks. Make no mistake, thousands of lives are at stake right now. pic.twitter.com/1TVAqHmysQ
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) December 21, 2020
To watch the full December 21st Provincial address, see below.
https://www.facebook.com/FordNationDougFord/videos/416792212777709
Photo via Ford Nation Twitter Account