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Police arrest protestors in Ottawa to clear convoy blockade

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Police have descended on the streets of downtown Ottawa to push out protestors.

They’re working to regain control over the city core after a three-week occupation against COVID-19 measures.

Protestors are being removed from their vehicles, arrested, and placed into Ottawa Police “offender transport” vans.

Police locked down the core on Thursday and arrested two organizers, Tamara Lich and Chris Barber.

Both are facing charges of counselling to commit the offence of mischief.

The House of Commons is not sitting on Friday due to the police operation.

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New Provincial Restrictions

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More restrictions are coming to Ontario due to surging COVID-19 cases and the Omicron variant.

The Ford government will be implementing restrictions similar to Step 2 of the province’s reopening plan.

Officials say while the Omicron is less severe, it’s high transmission rates have resulted in a larger number of ICU admissions.

Staff shortages are also expected to affect operations in workplaces across the province due to infection and exposure, including in hospitals and schools.

Schools will shift to online learning starting Wednesday January 5 until at least January 17.

In-person instruction for students with special education needs who cannot be accommodated remotely and for staff who are unable to deliver quality instruction from home will be provided.

Free emergency child care will also be provided for school-aged children of health care and other eligible frontline workers.

Other measures going into effect Wednesday, January 5 at 12:01 a.m. include:

  • Social gathering limits capped at five people indoors and 10 people outdoors
  • Organized public event capacity limited to five people indoors
  • Requiring businesses and organizations to ensure employees work remotely unless the nature of their work requires them to be on-site
  • Indoor dining closed, outdoors allowed with restrictions
  • Gyms, indoor sport and recreation fitness facilities closed, outdoor facilities are permitted to operate but with the number of spectators not to exceed 50 per cent occupancy and other requirements
  • Indoor meeting and event spaces closed with limited exceptions but permitting outdoor spaces to remain open with restrictions
  • Casinos, bingo halls, concert venues, theatres and cinemas also closed.
  • Personal care services permitted at 50 per cent capacity and other restrictions
  • 50 per cent capacity at retail stores
  • Indoor wedding/funeral services reduced to 50 per cent capacity. Outdoor services are limited to the number of people that can maintain 2 metres of physical distance. Social gatherings associated with these services must adhere to the social gathering limits
  • Public libraries limited to 50 per cent capacity.

Hospitals will also be pausing all non-emergent procedures and and non-urgent surgeries.

Full details on the new restrictions can be read here.

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Canada Reopens To The World Tuesday

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International travellers can officially start coming back into our country on Tuesday.

The Canada Border Services Agency confirmed Friday the border would reopen.

Quarantine protocols and restrictions against non-essential travel had been in place since the start of the pandemic.

Visitors will need to be fully vaccinated to skip isolation, but will still need a negative test less than three days before coming.

Unvaccinated kids under 12 don’t have to isolate, but must follow strict rules for 14 days.

U.S. citizens have been able to come in since last month.

Full details can be found on the Canada Border Services Agency’s website.

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Border Traffic Remains Low

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Border traffic continues to be impacted by ongoing restrictions, now extended another month to June 21st.

The latest numbers from Statistics Canada show about three thousand Canadians and 550 Americans still made it across in April at crossings at Pigeon River, Fort Frances and Rainy River.

Most passed the border at Fort Frances where over 1,500 Canadians and 300 Americans were eligible to pass.

Only travellers crossing for essential reasons, like work or school,

Fifteen hundred Canadians and 300 Americans were able to pass through at Fort Frances in April.

Another 970 Canadians and 82 Americans entered at Rainy River.

Only travellers crossing for essential reasons are permitted to pass but are subject to quarantine requirements.

The Pigeon River crossing saw 970 Canadians and 80 Americans who were permitted to enter northwestern Ontario.

The numbers at all of the border crossings are about 90 to 95 per cent of what they were before the pandemic.

 

 

Courtesy Statistics Canada

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OPP Ramp Up COVID Enforcement

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As more COVID-19 restrictions kick in, Provincial Police say they’re ready to enforce them.

OPP remind you that as of 12:01 Saturday morning, you aren’t allowed any outdoor gatherings with people outside your household, in-person shopping is restricted to 25 per cent of the normal capacity, and outdoor recreational facilities and non-essential construction sites will be closed.

Police can also stop you on the street or in your car, requiring you to tell them why you’re not at home and to provide your home address.

They say if you break the rules, you could be fined a minimum of $750. You could pay up to $10,000 for hosting a party or gathering that’s against the current restrictions.

Starting on Monday, OPP will also be posted at checkpoints at Ontario’s borders with Manitoba and Quebec.

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Hajdu: Keep Your Guard Up This Summer

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Federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu is urging Canadians to maintain their physical distancing and other COVID-19 measures as Ontario and the northwest region isn’t out of the woods just yet.

Hajdu told Acadia Broadcasting’s John Ongaro there is a need for continued vigilance.

“As much as we think we are immune or we have less of a chance in northern Ontario, it can come from anywhere. As travel increases, we are going to see people driving across the country to see family, there’s going to be increased risk to all of us. We have to continue to keep our guard up,” Hajdu said.

The federal health minister isn’t shooting down physical distance activities like having a drink with your neighbour at the end of a driveway with at least two meters apart. However, its close contact and sharing of food that could increass your risk of contracting the virus.

Hajdu stressed it’s the normal summer activities that will increase risk.

The Thunder Bay-Superior North MP said the safest way is to do summer activities with those who are in your household bubble.

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Ontario Still Not Set To Increase Group Sizes

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Ontario’s Health Minister says they will have a better understanding on how to proceed with COVID-19 restrictions at the end of this week.

The number of cases is above 400 for the fifth day in a row.

Christine Elliott believes more people getting together for Mother’s Day celebrations played a role.

Elliott now says they will be looking at the impact Phase one of reopening Ontario has had on numbers.

She notes they have halted plans to increase the size of public and private gatherings of 5 due to recent large events including the weekend one at Trinity Bellwoods in Toronto.

“If they continue to increase, that will be a time for us to stay paused to look at the situation, understand why the numbers are increasing, and take action or don’t take action going forward.”

Elliott adds “Everyone is very anxious to be able to have more things open, to have restaurants open and other things opened. But we have to make sure that we do this responsibly. People have to make sure they continue that physical distancing.”

Premier Doug Ford says the government isn’t looking at rolling back restrictions at this time.

He adds he is sticking to his plan to reopen Ontario and won’t be making decisions based on the number of cases in various regions.

The province also plans to unveil a robust testing public awareness campaign this week that will be focused on hot spots, long-term care homes and large businesses.

The Ontario NDP released statistics Monday on the number of COVID-19 tests done in the province and how it relates to a government goal of 20,000 tests a day.

Date

Tests completed, out of 20,000-test goal

May 16

17,768

May 17

16,217

May 18

9,155

May 19

5,813

May 20

7,382

May 21

10,506

May 22

11,276

May 23

11,028

May 24

11,383

May 25

8,170

 

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Hunters Still Encouraged To Enter Big Game Draws

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The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters is already raising concerns on the future of hunting in the province due to COVID-19.

A Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry statement indicates the government is planning to go ahead with the fall hunts as scheduled.

They state in the event that big game hunting seasons are closed due to public health restrictions, the ministry is considering options for reimbursement or credits for big game licence’s and draw applications.

Hunters are still being encouraged to enter draws that are currently open.

The moose draw closes on June 1st, while the antlerless deer draw ends on June 30th.

A government statement reads: “During this very challenging time, we owe it to our frontline and essential workers, families, friends and neighbours to avoid non-essential travel as much as possible and act responsibly, particularly when we are outdoors. Our actions today will minimize the risk to others and help stop the spread of COVID-19. The ministry will provide detailed communications to hunters in the event of hunting season closures.”

For more information, visit https://www.ofah.org/issues/mnrf-licensing-system-changes/

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Public Health Measures Still Required Says Njoo

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Canada’s deputy chief public health officer is reminding people that despite restrictions easing up, it’s important to follow public health measures.

Dr. Howard Njoo said there are still people who can become very sick from COVID-19.

“Continue to follow the individual public health measures that are important to stop the spread of COVID-19,” he said.

“Any optimism is predicated on our continued respect of public health measures.”

There have now been 81,765 confirmed cases of COVID-19 including 6,180 deaths and 41,986 or 51 per cent have recovered.

There have been over 1,401,000 people tested with about 5 per cent testing positive overall.

Labs across Canada are testing an average of 26,000 to 28,000 people daily.

“Public health officials in your area will make recommendations based on a number of factors, including the rates of infection and/or transmission in the community,” he said.

Njoo said recommendations may vary from location to location based on local reality.

“Remember it is now recommended that Canadians wear a nonmedical mask as another layer of protection for settings where physical distancing is not possible.”

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Premier Watching COVID-19 Trends Like A Hawk

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As the province continues to lift restrictions related to COVID-19, the Premier says if he sees a spike in cases he won’t hesitate to return to previous pandemic precautions.

Doug Ford says they are watching the daily coronavirus numbers like a hawk.

“If the cases are going up, it will be concerning, to say the least. I won’t hesitate to roll things back again,” Ford stressed.

Ford went on to say, “we are going to keep an eye on it, and if we see numbers spike we will roll things back in a heartbeat. I’m not going to chance it.”

The provincial government took time today to tell residents if they can’t maintain physical distancing that they should ensure that they are wearing a proper mask.

The Ministry of Health released the following face-covering recommendations:

  • Wear your face covering safely and snugly to cover your nose and mouth, without any gaps. Ensure your face covering is made of at least two layers of tightly-woven material and can be cleaned multiple times without losing its shape;
  • Medical masks, such as surgical and N95 masks, should be reserved for use by health care workers, those providing direct care, first responders and individuals who are ill and must leave their home for essential reasons such as seeking medical care, picking up medication or groceries;
  • Face coverings should not be placed on or used by children under the age of two; anyone who has trouble breathing; and anyone who is unable to remove it without assistance.

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