The Daily Courier

Restrictio­ns extended as businesses reopen

- By MICHELLE McQUIGGE

The COVID-19 pandemic maintained a grip on much of Canada on Tuesday even as at least three provinces stepped up their efforts to resume the trappings of life prior to the outbreak.

Efforts to reopen businesses in Ontario, B.C. and Saskatchew­an were embraced only in part, with several stores indicating they were not in a position to observe public health measures needed to operate in the post-pandemic era.

But despite the tentative economic steps forward, some jurisdicti­ons extended more aggressive protective measures.

Ontario opted to cancel school for the rest of the academic year, while the federal government extended a planned border closure with the United States.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the decision to prolong the ban on non-essential travel between the two countries to June 21 was a necessary step to protect the health of people on both sides of the border.

Canada’s top public health official also highlighte­d the need to keep borders closed and concentrat­e on ensuring the domestic situation is well in hand before welcoming outside visitors.

“We have to cautiously lift measures within our borders first just to see slowly what actually happens,” Dr. Theresa Tam said.

“We will want to see that cases are still suppressed. We’re still going to manage, detect and clamp down on any new spots that might come up.”

The U.S. has more than 1.5 million active cases of COVID-19, accounting for roughly 42% of the world’s case load and well above the roughly 79,000 diagnoses in Canada. The death toll south of the border crossed the 90,000 threshold over the weekend, while in Canada it stood at just over 5,900.

Canadian and American officials agreed to the extended closure, which prohibits discretion­ary travel while permitting trade shipments, commerce and essential workers to flow in both directions.

One of the provinces hardest hit by COVID19 also opted to continue with one major measure intended to curb the spread of the virus. Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the province’s schools would remain closed to at least September, noting overnight summer camps would also be shuttered.

“I’m just not going to risk it,” Ford said. “This wasn’t an easy decision to make, but it was the right decision.”

The Ontario government also extended emergency orders shuttering businesses such as libraries, restaurant­s and bars until May 29, also extending a ban on public gatherings of more than five people.

The province reported more than 400 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, a 1.9% uptick that’s the highest seen in days.

Word of the extended safety measures came as the province joined Saskatchew­an and British Columbia in attempting to revive larger swaths of the local economy.

Retailers across Ontario began reopening their doors on Tuesday, though with significan­t physical distancing measures remaining in place to protect staff and shoppers.

Many businesses had previously expressed doubts about their ability to reopen with instore safety protocols still in the works. But at those retailers that did relaunch business, customers said they felt safe.

“I think this is no different than what we’re already doing with grocery stores,” Toronto resident Madeleine Lewis said as she stood in line outside a pet store in Toronto’s west end. “We’ll be careful — it’s just much easier for me to shop for the dogs here than online.”

Car dealership­s and some outdoor recreation spaces were also included in the reopening, which marked Phase 1 of the province’s gradual economic recovery plan.

Reopening efforts were more widespread in British Columbia, where a much larger number of businesses have been given the green light to resume operations if they’re able to observe sound public health practices.

Those cleared to reopen on Tuesday included restaurant­s, cafes and pubs, retail and personal service establishm­ents, libraries, museums and galleries, office spaces, child-care facilities, parks and beaches.

Dr. Bonnie Henry, the province’s chief medical health officer, urged businesses to “take it slow” as they work towards operating in a world transforme­d by the pandemic.

In Saskatchew­an, Phase 2 of the province’s reopening plan went into effect as malls, salons, massage therapists and dentists offices were cleared to resume business. Some restrictio­ns remain in place, however, with personal service workers being encouraged to wear protective gear and clothing stores discouragi­ng customers from trying on goods.

Regina-based barber Jason Zalusky said longer service times, reduced store capacity and more stringent disinfecti­on protocols mean his shop will only be able to handle about 60% of its usual business levels.

“There’s a lot more work definitely for a lot less pay,” he said. “I don’t think it’s going to benefit many of us being open, but people are ready and they want it.”

For at least one Canadian retailer, the economic damage has already been done. Reitmans filed for court protection from its creditors on Tuesday. It said losses caused by the pandemic mean the company will have to restructur­e operations across its 576 stores, which employ about 6,800 staff.

More encouragin­g news came out of Quebec. Premier Francois Legault said the 570 new cases recorded in the province marks the smallest jump in five weeks, noting the number of patients in hospital and intensive care has also stabilized.

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