National Post (National Edition)
‘A cautious reopening’ across nation
But many restrictions remain in place
Quebecers were shopping for furniture, Winnipeggers were sipping beers on patios and a Regina physiotherapist was treating aches and pains that built up during weeks of isolation.
Some provinces began easing their COVID-19 lockdowns on Monday, but top health officials cautioned many of the changes Canadians have made to their daily lives to slow the spread of the illness are here for the long haul.
“It’s not over,” said federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu.
“It is a cautious reopening in certain provinces and certain sectors, but ... the new normal will have to include new ways of living, new ways of working that will protect us in this unique and difficult time.”
Canada has confirmed more than 60,600 cases of the illness, including more than 3,800 deaths. Nearly 26,000 of the overall cases are considered resolved.
Quebec, which accounts for more than half of Canada’s tally, started reopening retail stores outside Montreal on Monday.
But it is delaying the restart in the Montreal area by a week, until May 18, because there are still too many COVID-19 patients in city hospitals.
Jean-Francois Riel opened his Meubles et Davantage furniture store in Farnham, Que., south of Montreal, for the first time since midMarch.
“It was a little bit hectic today,” said Riel, who added that he greeted about 50 per cent more customers than on a typical weekday before the shutdown.
Riel said his store’s 25,000-square-foot space can ensure physical distancing.
Ontario was allowing a few mostly seasonal businesses to reopen, including garden centres with curbside pickups, lawn care and landscaping companies, and automatic car washes.
In Alberta, the Cargill beef-processing plant south of Calgary resumed after it was shut down for two weeks because of an extensive COVID-19 outbreak. Nearly half the plant’s 2,000 workers have tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
UFCW Local 401, arguing conditions are unsafe for workers, is seeking a stopwork order. Hearings before the Labour Relations Board were continuing Monday.
Manitoba’s museums, libraries and retail businesses — including restaurant patios — were allowed to reopen, although at half capacity.
The province reported no new COVID-19 cases Monday, which leaves the total to date at 281.
While museums were allowed to reopen in Manitoba, many remained closed as they tracked down supplies and created safety plans.
Non-essential medical activities were allowed to resumed across the Prairies.
Regina physiotherapist Alison Matsyk was booked solid for a half-day. She said she felt safe opening because the clinic was able to secure the required personal protective equipment.
“You can already tell that there’s a sense of relief from people being able to access it again,” she said.
In the Maritimes, where COVID-19 caseloads have been trending downward, some provinces began relaxing restrictions over the last week, mostly in health services and outdoor recreation.
New Brunswick is entering its third week without a new reported case of COVID-19. All 118 confirmed cases of the illness are considered resolved as of Saturday.
Newfoundland and Labrador plans to loosen some of its public health and recreation restrictions Monday.