Premier Doug Ford announced Thursday how Ontario will start to reopen its economy and phase out some emergency restrictions that were imposed to combat COVID-19. But some experts aren’t sure if the province is ready yet.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced Thursday how the province will start to reopen its economy and phase out some emergency restrictions that were imposed to combat COVID-19.
The announcement laid out a plan to lift restrictions on construction and to allow the reopening of retail stores that are not in malls, as well as seasonal businesses, pet services and household maintenance.
Ford said Ontario will begin to phase out its semi-lockdown starting on May 19 — but a key question looming over the announcement is whether Ontario’s public health system has enough of a handle on the pandemic that Stage 1 of the reopening plan can be launched safely.
The Ford government’s framework for the reopening, unveiled in late April, set out clear public health criteria for beginning to phase out restrictions on businesses and gatherings. They included:
- A consistent two–to-four week decrease in the number of new daily COVID‑19 cases.
- Sufficient acute and critical care hospital capacity to respond to potential surges.
- Approximately 90 per cent of new COVID‑19 case contacts being reached by local public health officials within one day.
- Ongoing testing of suspected cases to detect new outbreaks quickly.
Have those criteria been met?
Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams seemed unsure on Tuesday.