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Ontario Premier. Doug Ford

 

Ford announces new restrictions as COVID-19 cases threaten to remain high all summer

Ontario tightens restrictions, gives police new powers

Doug Ford wearing a suit and tie: Ontario Premier Doug Ford, along with Solicitor General Sylvia Jones, told reporters Friday stricter measures are necessary because of a lack of vaccine supply. However, health experts have repeatedly said vaccines alone cannot stop the surge of the virus.© Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press Ontario Premier Doug Ford, along with Solicitor General Sylvia Jones, told reporters Friday stricter measures are necessary because of a lack of vaccine supply. However, health experts have repeatedly said vaccines alone cannot…
Ontario will step up enforcement powers for police and extend its stay-at-home order to a minimum of six weeks in a bid to stem the exponential rise in COVID-19 cases, but won't institute paid sick days — despite modelling showing that cases will remain high through the summer without additional support for essential workers.

Speaking at a twice-delayed news conference on Friday, Premier Doug Ford announced the stay-at-home order first instituted on April 8 for four weeks will now be extended until May 20.

Effective 12:01 a.m. Saturday, outdoor gatherings will be prohibited except for members of the same household or one other person from outside that household who lives alone.

Police will have the authority to ask anyone outside their residence to indicate their purpose for leaving home and provide their address. That includes stopping vehicles and potentially issuing tickets of approximately $750.

Non-essential construction will be shut down and outdoor amenities like golf and playgrounds will be restricted. Retail capacity will be limited to 25 per cent in all settings where in-store shopping is still permitted.

Inspectors will also visit law offices, accounting firms and other such locations to confirm that only essential workers are in the building.

Effective 12:01 a.m. Monday, religious gatherings, weddings and funerals will be limited to 10 people, whether indoors or outdoors. Also beginning Monday, Ford said, there will be checkpoints at provincial borders with Quebec and Manitoba with exceptions for essential travel.