Ford extends Ontario stay-at-home order to June 2
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Ontario will remain under a stay-at-home order until June 2 and schools will stay closed for the foreseeable future, Premier Doug Ford announced Thursday.
The province will not allow outdoor recreational facilities such as golf courses and basketball courts to reopen until at least June 2.
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“We need to do everything in our power to protect the summer for all Ontarians. My goal is to have the most normal July and August possible,” Ford said. “Obviously, that wont mean large sporting events or concerts. But if we manage the next few weeks properly. I believe that we can have things in a very good place this summer.”
Ontario Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner said the Ford government should focus on workplace outbreaks with measures such as 10 paid sick days, mandated medical-grade personal protection equipment (PPE) and rapid testing.
“That includes listening to the public health experts and immediately opening safe outdoor spaces for the betterment of Ontarians’ mental and physical health,” Schreiner said in a statement.
Asked about golf courses, Ford said the concern was not with the actual activity but doctors have told him to limit people’s mobility to contain the spread of COVID-19.
“I know what happens, you know, they pick up another buddy, two or three they go out, go golfing,” Ford said. “And there’s nothing wrong with golfing, the problem is and then after golf they go back, they have a few pops. That’s the problem.”
“I’d love to get out golfing and right now the ICUs are still at risk,” Ford said, referring to the number of patients in intensive care.
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) said the government has announced yet another lockdown extension with no additional financial supports for the impacted businesses.
Under the extended stay-at-home order, all businesses deemed non-essential will be limited to online, curbside, delivery or take-out.
Virtual learning will continue for students although efforts will begin in June to vaccinate youth aged 12- to 17-years-old.
Ontario reported 2,759 new cases of COVID-19 Thursday.
There were 774 in Toronto, 602 in Peel Region, 258 in York Region, 147 in Durham Region, 133 in Hamilton, 110 in Ottawa and 104 in Halton Region.
The death of 31 more Ontarians was attributed to COVID-19 Thursday bringing the total number of lives lost to 8,405.
Of the 502,171 people who were confirmed to have the infection, 464,531 have recovered or are not seriously ill.
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Hospitals were caring for 1,632 patients — 776 in intensive care and 568 on ventilators.
COVID-19 has put 24,486 people in hospital so far during this pandemic and 4,497 needed ICU care.
Ontario has now administered 6.63 million doses of a vaccine including 137,697 on Wednesday.
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