Premier Doug Ford hints at lifting restrictions on gatherings as Ontario economy begins its reopening

Thestar.com
May 19, 2020
Robert Benzie

Ontario’s ban on gatherings of more than five people during the COVID-19 pandemic could be lifted as early as next week.

Premier Doug Ford has strongly hinted for days that restrictions will soon be eased to allow friends and family in groups of up to 10.

Health Minister Christine Elliott confirmed Friday the government hopes to make an announcement “next week on that issue because, with the warmer weather coming, people will be wanting to get together for barbecues and other occasions.”

Elliott emphasized Dr. David Williams, Ontario’s chief medical officer of health, and other officials are looking at “the safest and healthiest way to do that.”

“That is something that we are studying very closely right now -- the idea of bubbling, cohorting, increasing the numbers, because I know that people are wanting to spend more time with family and friends,” she said.

“So the chief medical officer of health is giving that very serious consideration.”

Ford urged people to “use common sense, practice social distancing” if they insist on seeing friends and family.

“If you’re going to go see your grandchildren, your kids, if you can be outside, stay outside and have a barbecue,” the premier said, acknowledging there’s been a “vigorous debate” inside the Progressive Conservative caucus about the timetable for reopening.

According to an order issued under Ontario’s Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act on March 17, “no person shall attend an organized public event of more than five people, including a parade.”

Also prohibited are “a social gathering of more than five people or a gathering of more than five people for the purposes of conducting religious services, rites or ceremonies.”

That “applies to an event or gathering even if it is held at a private dwelling.”

The only exceptions are “a gathering of members of a single household (and) a gathering for the purposes of a funeral service that is not attended by more than 10 persons.”

Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca warned Friday that with the ongoing “disaster” in long-term-care homes, where 70 per cent of the COVID-19 deaths have occurred, any lifting of restrictions must be done cautiously and methodically.

Earlier this week, MPPs voted to extend Ontario’s state of emergency until June 2.

But Ford, whose government has imposed about 90 safety guidelines for businesses, announced Thursday that -- with Williams’ OK -- the province will slowly begin reopening the province’s economy, which has been closed for two months.

Although Ontario students are provisionally set to be back in class on June 1, it appears unlikely schools will reopen until September. Ford said an official announcement from Education Minister Stephen Lecce would come Tuesday.

But marinas, golf courses, and kennels are opening up Saturday in time for the Victoria Day long weekend.

Starting Tuesday, retailers with separate street entrances -- including in strip malls -- can reopen as long as they limit the number of customers inside.

That’s to ensure there is one person per four square metres to ensure physical distancing of two metres at all times.

Curbside pickup will continue to be encouraged and all indoor shopping malls will remain closed.

In clothes stores, only fitting rooms with doors -- not curtains -- can be used. Every second fitting room will have to be closed to ensure safe physical distancing and to allow for cleaning after each use.

Also on Tuesday, all construction sites will reopen and pet groomers can fire up their clippers. However, barbers, hairdressers, and manicurists will have to wait.

Scheduled surgeries at public and private health facilities, which had been delayed or cancelled due to COVID-19, can begin Tuesday.

Restaurants, which have been limited to selling takeout meals, wine, beer, and spirits, will have to wait longer before resuming table service.

With so many being forced out of business because they are unable to pay their rent, Ford implored landlords to take advantage of the federal and provincial subsidy that pays half the rent leaving the landlord and the tenant to each fork over 25 per cent.

“You have to be flexible … if the tenant moves out, what does the landlords think -- they’re going to have an army of people wanting to move in?” he thundered.

“People are struggling. They’re going to sit there vacant. So, if I were them, I’d take 75 per cent. That’s a pretty good deal for landlords. You either get 75 per cent or you get zero. You know what drives me crazy? I can’t stand these vicious landlords.”

But Green Leader Mike Schreiner said “small businesses don’t need a cheerleader, they need the premier to act now to ban commercial rent evictions.”

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said “it’s clear the federally led commercial rent program is leaving too many people behind, and it’s time for the province to step up.”