Province to re-open economy in stages
By Chad Ingram
The
provincial government announced Monday that it will re-open Ontario’s
economy in stages, but only after receiving advice from its top medical
advisors that it is safe to do so.
provincial government announced Monday that it will re-open Ontario’s
economy in stages, but only after receiving advice from its top medical
advisors that it is safe to do so.
The Ford government declared a
state of emergency amid the COVID-19 crisis on March 17, and on March
24, ordered all businesses deemed non-essential to close. The list of
essential businesses permitted to continue operating was then downsized
in early April.
On Monday, Premier Doug Ford unveiled the staged
approach the government would use in re-opening the economy, however,
that announcement came with no specific dates attached to it. The
approach will use three stages, but it is as yet unclear which type of
businesses would be allowed to re-open at which stage.
state of emergency amid the COVID-19 crisis on March 17, and on March
24, ordered all businesses deemed non-essential to close. The list of
essential businesses permitted to continue operating was then downsized
in early April.
On Monday, Premier Doug Ford unveiled the staged
approach the government would use in re-opening the economy, however,
that announcement came with no specific dates attached to it. The
approach will use three stages, but it is as yet unclear which type of
businesses would be allowed to re-open at which stage.
“To reopen
the economy, we will consider factors such as the risk as the spread of
COVID-19 and the ability to implement protective and preventative
measures in the workplace,” reads a press release from the province. It
notes that before the re-opening will begin, the government wants to see
“a consistent two- to four-week decrease in the number of new daily
COVID-19 cases.”
the economy, we will consider factors such as the risk as the spread of
COVID-19 and the ability to implement protective and preventative
measures in the workplace,” reads a press release from the province. It
notes that before the re-opening will begin, the government wants to see
“a consistent two- to four-week decrease in the number of new daily
COVID-19 cases.”
On Monday, the province had experienced its third
consecutive day of decreased new cases of the virus, however on Tuesday,
new cases increased, with 525 new cases announced.
consecutive day of decreased new cases of the virus, however on Tuesday,
new cases increased, with 525 new cases announced.
“There will be
two to four weeks between the launch of each stage to allow health
officials to assess conditions before moving to the next one,” the
release reads. “This will determine if measures should be adjusted,
loosened or tightened. This approach will enable the government to
ensure there are appropriate measures in place to open safely and limit
health risks. Everyday actions to protect your health, like physical
distancing, frequent hand washing and staying home when ill, will
continue through each stage.”
two to four weeks between the launch of each stage to allow health
officials to assess conditions before moving to the next one,” the
release reads. “This will determine if measures should be adjusted,
loosened or tightened. This approach will enable the government to
ensure there are appropriate measures in place to open safely and limit
health risks. Everyday actions to protect your health, like physical
distancing, frequent hand washing and staying home when ill, will
continue through each stage.”
The release indicates that at the
first stage, the government will consider: “opening select workplaces
that can meet current public health guidelines; allowing essential
gatherings of a limited number of people; opening some outdoor spaces;
and continued protections for vulnerable populations.”
At the second
stage, it will consider: “opening more workplaces with significant
mitigation plans; opening more public spaces; allowing some larger
public gatherings; continued protections for vulnerable populations.”
At
the third stage, it will consider: “opening all workplaces responsibly;
relaxing restrictions on public gatherings; continued protections for
vulnerable populations.”
There was some criticism on Monday that the government’s announcement did not include specific timelines.
first stage, the government will consider: “opening select workplaces
that can meet current public health guidelines; allowing essential
gatherings of a limited number of people; opening some outdoor spaces;
and continued protections for vulnerable populations.”
At the second
stage, it will consider: “opening more workplaces with significant
mitigation plans; opening more public spaces; allowing some larger
public gatherings; continued protections for vulnerable populations.”
At
the third stage, it will consider: “opening all workplaces responsibly;
relaxing restrictions on public gatherings; continued protections for
vulnerable populations.”
There was some criticism on Monday that the government’s announcement did not include specific timelines.
“This
is a road map, not a calendar,” Minister of Economic Development, Job
Creation and Trade Vic Fedeli said, with that message reiterated by
Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MPP Laurie Scott on Twitter.
“It’s
important that we stay the course and adhere to the advice of our health
care experts to keep on track in the fight against COVID-19 and get on
the path to recovery,” Scott wrote. Scott, along with a number of
cabinet colleagues, has been appointed to the Ontario Jobs and Recovery
Committee.
is a road map, not a calendar,” Minister of Economic Development, Job
Creation and Trade Vic Fedeli said, with that message reiterated by
Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MPP Laurie Scott on Twitter.
“It’s
important that we stay the course and adhere to the advice of our health
care experts to keep on track in the fight against COVID-19 and get on
the path to recovery,” Scott wrote. Scott, along with a number of
cabinet colleagues, has been appointed to the Ontario Jobs and Recovery
Committee.
|
|
