As provinces move forward with phased approaches to lifting restrictions put in place to tackle the coronavirus pandemic, premiers are facing decisions around whether to introduce regional or local variation. Alberta says to expect local data to come into play, while Ontario’s premier says “we have to run the province as one unit.” Here’s a look at what’s happening in Canada, the U.S. and around the world.
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In Alberta, Premier Jason Kenney is cautioning that some hard-hit areas may not move forward on the same reopening schedule as the rest of the province, saying officials will be looking at local data as they make decisions about what to open and when.
As provinces move forward with phased approaches to lifting restrictions put in place to tackle the coronavirus pandemic, premiers are facing decisions around whether to stick with a single framework provincewide or introduce regional or local variation.
“We will be looking through a local lens at how quickly we reopen aspects of the economy to ensure that we are doing it very prudently,” Kenney said, pointing to the situation in Brooks and High River, were a meat-packing plant has been at the centre of a major outbreak.
- North America’s largest single coronavirus outbreak started at this Alberta meat-packing plant: Take a look inside.
Premier Doug Ford, meanwhile, said that Ontario will be proceeding with a provincewide approach. In Ontario, major urban centres like the Greater Toronto Area have reported the highest infection rates.
When asked recently about a request from the city of Kingston and the local public health unit for a more regional approach to lifting restrictions — with continued cross-jurisdiction collaboration — Ford said the answer had been no.
“We have to run the province as one unit.”
- Want to know more about Ontario’s provincewide plan? CBC’s Mike Crawley looks at where the cases are and why at least one mayor says a “one-size-fits-all approach may not be the best.”
Quebec, which has been the epicentre of the outbreak in Canada, is moving forward with an approach that offers one timeline for the greater Montreal area and another for the rest of the province. On Thursday, the province said the planned reopening of retail shops, daycares and primary schools in Montreal was being delayed until May 25.
Premier François Legault said “the conditions to keep our initial reopening calendar in Montreal are not met, for the moment.”
As Quebec revises reopening dates, government risks adding uncertainty to uncertain times https://t.co/F8DeZQauu9
Quebec accounts for more than half of the almost 65,000 confirmed and presumptive coronavirus cases in Canada. As of 7 a.m. ET on Friday, the province had 35,238 cases, with 8,673 of the cases considered resolved or recovered. According to a CBC tally of coronavirus deaths based on provincial data, regional health information and CBC’s reporting, Quebec accounted for 2,631 of the country’s 4,524 deaths.
The virus, which first emerged in China and spread around the world, sparked governments to introduce a range of measures, including lockdowns, business closures and stay-at-home orders, to try and slow its spread.
The Canadian economy lost almost two million jobs in April, a record high, as the closure of non-essential services to slow the spread of COVID-19 devastated the economy and forced businesses to shutter temporarily. The loss of 1,993,800 jobs comes on top of more than one million jobs lost in March.
Read on for a look at what’s happening in Canada, the U.S. and around the world.
What’s happening in the provinces and territories
Health officials in British Columbia are urging people to be careful and cautious as some COVID-19 restrictions are lifted and people prepare to expand their social circles. “The future is in our hands and we must continue to wash them,” said Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry. Read more about what’s happening in B.C.
WATCH | Dr. Bonnie Henry talks about how to safely expand social interactions when restrictions lift:
As COVID-19 restrictions ease, B.C.’s public health officer says people should cautiously resume interactions. 1:37
Alberta reported 54 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday and an additional two deaths. The province now has a total of 6,017 cases. So far 3,809 people have recovered, and 114 have died. Read more about what’s happening in Alberta.
Saskatchewan reported 19 more cases on Thursday — with all of them in the far north and north regions. The province said 15 of the cases were in the far north, with 12 of those in the La Loche area, which is dealing with an outbreak. The remaining four were in the north region. Read more about what’s happening in Saskatchewan.
WATCH | COVID-19 expected to cause surge in bankruptcy applications:
Experts predict a surge in the number of businesses applying for bankruptcy because of the financial toll of the COVID-19 pandemic. 1:56
Manitoba reported no new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, and said one earlier probable case has turned out to not be COVID-19. The total number of confirmed and presumptive cases in the province is 283. Read more about what’s happening in Manitoba.
A personal support worker at an Ottawa-area long-term care home has died, officials with the Madonna Care Community said. Sienna Senior Living, which operates the home in Orléans, says 30 resident