`WE'RE LOSING THE BATTLE'
Ford announces strict new measures as COVID cases soar
The Ontario government extended the four-week stay at home order to six weeks in an effort to reducing rising rates of COVID -19 in the province. Among other actions announced Friday, Ontario will:
Give police and provincial offences officers enhanced authority to support enforcement of the stay-at-home order with powers to stop people walking or driving and ask for their addresses and why they aren't at home. People who aren't complying can be fined up to $750. The order was to take effect at 12:01 a.m. Saturday.
Increase inspections at workplaces and construction sites to enforce safety requirements and ensure everyone who can work at home is doing so. Provincial offences officers will visit workplaces in hot spots in Toronto, Ottawa and elsewhere.
Set up check points to restrict travel into Ontario from Quebec and Manitoba, with the exception of purposes such as work, health-care services, transportation and delivery of goods and services or exercising Aboriginal or treaty rights.
Prohibit all outdoor social gatherings and organized public events, except with members of the same household or one other person from outside that household who lives alone or a caregiver for any member of the household.
Close non-essential construction sites.
Reduce capacity limits to 25 per cent in all retail settings where in-store shopping is permitted, including pharmacies and stores that primarily sell food.
Close all outdoor recreational amenities, such as golf courses, basketball courts, soccer fields and playgrounds, with limited exceptions.
As of Monday, the government is limiting the capacity of weddings, funerals, and religious services, rites or ceremonies to 10 people indoors or outdoors, as well as prohibiting social gatherings associated with these services such as receptions, except with members of the same household or one other person from outside that household who lives alone. Drive-in services will be permitted.
The province will also commit 25 per cent of future vaccines to hot-spot communities with high rates of COVID -19. Under the stay at home order, everyone is required to stay home except for essential purposes, including going to the grocery store or pharmacy, accessing health-care services (including getting vaccinated), for outdoor exercise or for work that cannot be done remotely.