Canadians urged to keep groups small, virtual

Many Canadians are setting new Thanksgiving traditions as the COVID-19 pandemic downsizes family dinners, while some who are separated from their loved ones try to find other ways to be grateful.

As the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic washes over the country, Canadians from coast to coast are being asked to limit the size of their Thanksgiving gatherings or keep them entirely virtual.

Canada’s chief public health officer said last week’s troubling surge in infections means that some guests may be missing from the Thanksgiving table.

But Dr. Theresa Tam said the best way for Canadians to show their gratitude this holiday is to keep each other safe by staying away from anyone outside their immediate circle. “What is usually a special tradition for many Canadians, will serve as a hard reminder of how much we are sacrificing to protect ourselves, those we love and our communities,” Tam said in a statement Sunday.

With daily case counts continuing to rise in some provinces, increased restrictions came into effect in several hot spots heading into the long weekend.

In Quebec, which reported 942 new cases Sunday, nearly every community along the St. Lawrence River is now considered a “red zone.” Premier François Legault has entreated Quebecers to put public health before the desire to host large holiday gatherings.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has urged people to stick to their immediate households, saying it’s too risky even to expand the celebration to the current indoor gathering limit of10 people.

That message came as the province imposed harsher restrictions on the hard-hit areas of Toronto, Ottawa and Peel Region. Ontario reported 649 new COVID-19 cases Sunday, a significant dip from Friday’s alltime high of 939 new infections.