Don’t let Super Bowl be a super-spreader

Premier takes to Twitter to urge all football fans to stay home on Sunday

Don’t let Super Sunday be a super-spreader event.

That’s the message from Premier Doug Ford as he reminded Ontarians that the “stay home” order to tackle COVID-19 infections remains in place on Super Bowl Sunday.

“I know many of you are excited for the #SuperBowl this weekend between the @Chiefs & @Buccaneers,” Ford said on Twitter late Thursday. “But do me a favour & STAY AT HOME!” the premier implored his more than 438,000 followers.

“Enjoy the game virtually with anyone you don’t live with & support your favourite local restaurants by buying some takeout. (PS I’m a Brady fan),” he said, referring to Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady, who has won a record six Super Bowl titles with the New England Patriots.

Ford, who is a supporter of the Buffalo Bills and the Chicago Bears, said in an accompanying video that Ontarians should “stick with your family” and avoid congregating for the NFL championship game.

“Watch a great game, it’s going to be phenomenal, two of the greatest quarterbacks playing against each other,” he said in a nod to Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes, who was last year’s most valuable player in the Super Bowl.

As of Friday, 6,438 people have died of COVID-19 in Ontario since the pandemic struck last winter.

Under Ontario’s state of emergency, which has been in effect since Jan. 14 and remains in place until at least next Tuesday, people “should only go out for necessities,” such as buying food, beverages or medication, and going to medical appointments, helping the vulnerable or getting exercise and walking their dogs.

Ontarians are permitted to work if they cannot do so remotely, but businesses are expected to allow employees to work from home when possible.

While travel is not explicitly prohibited, the government is asking people not to leave their “region or the province unless absolutely necessary.”

In terms of gatherings, up to five people may meet up outdoors as long as they are wearing masks and keeping a safe physical distance of two metres apart.

People who live alone may have contact with one other household only.

The penalties for scofflaws are severe.

Party organizers face fines of a minimum of $10,000 and each attendee may be slapped with a $750 ticket.

There are minimum $1,000 fines “for anyone who prevents an enforcement officer from exercising their powers or performing their duties to enforce the orders.”

The maximum fines are $100,000 for an individual, $500,000 for a director or officer of a corporation, and $10 million for a corporation.

In extreme cases, violating provincial pandemic laws could result in a year in jail.

“Enjoy the game virtually with anyone you don’t live with & support your favourite local restaurants by buying some takeout. (PS I’m a Brady fan).” PREMIER DOUG FORD

IN TWEET ABOUT SUPER BOWL