The Premier is echoing some warnings from earlier in the pandemic, as Ontario surges above 900 new cases of COVID-19.
Doug Ford is warning you to avoid leaving home unnecessarily, in hopes the province can avoid more lockdowns and extra strain on the healthcare system.
“All trends are going in the wrong direction. Left unchecked, we risk worst-case scenarios first seen in Italy and New York City,” Ford warns.
He adds that if the virus continues to spread at this rate, admissions to Intensive Care Units could more than triple in “less than 30 days”.
Health Minister Christine Elliott says they’re very concerned about the rise in cases, with some infected people having contact with up to 100 people.
“The curve is not just growing, it’s growing exponentially. Numbers have increased significantly, and we need to take action now and do everything we can to avoid a very severe second wave,” Elliott says.
Ford is also announcing more shutdowns in Southern Ontario as the province re-activates some public health measures in Toronto, Ottawa and Peel. Those include a ban on indoor dining at restaurants, effective first thing Saturday morning. Those hotspots will also see a limit on guests at wedding receptions, effective first thing Tuesday morning.
The new rules will be in effect for the next four weeks in those areas with the highest number of new cases. Ford is apologizing to the businesses that will be hardest-hit by the restrictions.
The province is investing $300-million to extend the wage subsidy, rent subsidy, and business loans for those areas.
