National Post (National Edition)
State of emergency declared in Ontario, Alberta and B.C.
Decision ‘not made lightly,’ Ford says
Ontario, Alberta and B.C. all declared a state of emergency Tuesday as provincial governments around the country look for ways to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford invoked a little-used statute to grant his government broad powers to cope with the COVID-19 outbreak as health officials confirmed the first death from the virus in the province.
In a rare early morning press conference at Queen’s Park, Ford ordered recreation centres, public libraries, private schools, daycares, bars, restaurants, theatres, concert venues and cinemas to close immediately and remain closed until March 31 at the earliest.
“Right now we need to do everything we can to slow the spread of COVID-19,” an ashen-looking Ford said. “We must act decisively. We must not delay.”
Ford’s order Tuesday was the latest in an unprecedented and increasingly broad public effort aimed at minimizing and delaying the peak of the outbreak. The goal is to slow transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19 and avoid the kind of spike in cases that has swamped hospitals in northern Italy, leading to untold numbers of preventable deaths.
“This is a decision that was not made lightly,” Ford said. “It is imperative we protect every person in every family across this province.”
Ford’s first order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act Tuesday was to prohibit all organized public gatherings of 50 people or more, including parades, events, and services in houses of worship.
He stressed that the order is not meant to shut down the Ontario economy.
“The vast majority of businesses, including those most vital to day to day life will not be affected,” he said. Grocery stores, convenience stores, pharmacies, manufacturing facilities, important public services, construction sites and office buildings will all continue to operate.
As of Tuesday, there were 185 cases of the novel coronavirus in Ontario — the most in any province — and one death. A 77-year-old man in the Muskoka region died
Tuesday and was the first death in Ontario.
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney on Tuesday also banned all gatherings of more than 50 people — including weddings and funerals — as he declared a state of public emergency due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
His government also called off a fee fight with doctors that physicians have called an intolerable distraction as they work on the front lines to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.
“The situation is very serious and we are taking action more effectively to protect Albertans against this pandemic,” Kenney said at the legislature.
He said public recreation facilities, casinos, bingo halls, bars, museums and art galleries would be closed immediately if they weren’t already.
Worship services and conferences also fall under the 50-person rule.
Sit-down restaurants are being limited to half their capacity, but only up to 50 people. Takeout, delivery or drive-thru service is still permitted.
Grocery stores, shopping centres, health-care facilities and airports are among the essential services that remain open.
Kenney, noting that he has been in touch with the Retail Council of Canada and other supermarket chains, also urged Albertans not to hoard food and other household supplies.
British Columbia declared a public health emergency after reporting three new COVID-19 deaths Tuesday.
The province now has had seven fatalities during the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Dr. Bonnie Henry, the provincial health officer, says six of the deaths stem from a care home in North Vancouver.
In Ontario, Ford announced the first stage of what is expected to be a generationally large economic relief plan. The $300 million “first stage” relief package will go to funding efforts to fight COVID-19, including 75 more critical care beds, 500 more acute care beds, 75 more COVID-19 response centres and a host of new personal protective equipment.
“We will spare no expense to support Ontario,” Ford said.
Under the emergency act, the provincial government has the power to limit personal travel, close down public and private buildings and fix prices for goods to prevent unreasonable inflation.