The déconfinement is advanced in Ontario. The vaccine passport will no longer be a reality from the 1er March, two weeks earlier than expected, while as of this Thursday, restaurants, bars and gyms will be able to operate at full capacity again.
Posted at 10:23 a.m.
Updated at 10:37 a.m.
“Removing these measures has always been our goal. […] Like all of you, I’ve waited a long time for this news, ”said the province’s premier, Doug Ford, during a press scrum Monday morning.
As of February 21, “we will remove all capacity limits” in businesses, insisted Mr. Ford, specifying nevertheless that stadiums, concert halls and theaters must remain at 50% of their capacity. Ontarians will also be able to gather 25 people indoors in a private residence, and 100 outdoors. In organized public events, the limit will be 50 people indoors, and there will be no restrictions outdoors.
It’s the 1er March, in just over two weeks, that all capacity limits will be lifted. The vaccine passport will also be lifted the same day at the provincial level. Note: businesses that wish to do so may nevertheless continue to require this vaccination passport.
Mr. Ford, who says he received a recommendation from Public Health this weekend, assures that his plan “was in place long before the demonstrations” by truckers, in Ottawa and Windsor in particular. Rather, he says it’s the drop in hospitalizations and the restarting of surgeries that’s spurring him to move forward. On Sunday, Ontario authorities recorded 1,540 pandemic-related hospitalizations, compared to 1,704 the day before.
“We have the level of protection we need to remove public health measures. Our health care system is now in a much better position. Our decisions were based on data. And our vaccination figures speak for themselves ”, has also hammered the Dr Kieran Moore, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, with the Premier.
On the vaccination side, the third dose will also be available for all 12-17 year olds in Ontario, starting Friday. However, wearing a mask will remain in place “a little longer” in Ontario, maintained Doug Ford. The Dr Moore, however, promises to “continue to follow the data” to “make a decision” on this in the coming weeks.
“Serious consequences”
The premier of Ontario took advantage of his public appearance on Monday to once again raise his voice against truckers and protesters in Ottawa and Windsor who, according to him, are taking too many citizens and businesses “hostage”.
Let’s be clear: if you choose to use your vehicle to create havoc, you will lose that vehicle and your license, plain and simple. We’re going to throw all the tools we have at your disposal.
Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario
Mr. Ford, who admitted on Monday that the division surrounding health restrictions directly affects his family and loved ones, however remained evasive about his thoughts on the Federal Emergency Measures Act, which Justin Trudeau is about to invoke to end the protests in downtown Ottawa. A meeting was held in the morning with the provinces on this subject. “Bring law and order to our province,” Mr. Ford simply slipped at one point.
“To those of you who are still out there, with the sole purpose of causing destruction and chaos: there will be grave consequences for these illegal activities,” he continued.
Speaking of a situation that seemed “more complex” in Ottawa than in Windsor, he reiterated that all three levels of government are currently “focused” on ending the occupation. “The police have all the tools they need, all the resources are available,” he recalled, a few days after declaring the state of emergency.