General News » Headline News » News

Stay-at-Home orders extended as Province walks back some restrictions

April 22, 2021   ·   0 Comments

Stay-at-Home orders across Ontario have been extended for a further two weeks amid a significant surge in COVID-19 cases.

The Province announced the extension of the orders, for a total of six weeks, on Friday afternoon following consultation with Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health.

“As the latest modelling confirms, without taking immediate and decisive action, COVID-19 cases will spiral out of control and our hospitals will be overwhelmed,” said Premier Doug Ford in a statement. “That is why we are making difficult, but necessary decisions to reduce mobility and keep people in the safety of their own homes. We need to contain the spread of this deadly virus while getting vaccines into as many arms as quickly as possible.”

Among the raft of new restrictions that came into effect just after midnight on Saturday, April 17, were the prohibition of all outdoor social gatherings and organized public events, except those with members of the same household or one other person from outside that household who lives alone or is a caregiver for any member of that household; the closure of all non-essential workplaces in the construction centre; and the closure of “all outdoor recreational amenities such as golf courses, basketball courts, soccer fields and playgrounds with limited exceptions.”

Additionally, effective Monday, April 19, the capacity limits of weddings, funerals and religious services, rites and ceremonies were limited to 10 people indoors and outdoors.

But the measures to limit the use of some outdoor recreational facilities, particularly playgrounds, sparked backlash over the weekend which quickly saw the government backpedal on that provision.

“Ontario’s enhanced restrictions were always intended to stop large gatherings where spread can happen,” said the Premier on social media. “Our regulations will be amended to allow playgrounds, but gatherings outside will still be enforced. Play outside safely. Parents, keep your distance and wear masks if you can’t.”

Also at the receiving end of backlash from the public were some new powers handed over to Police to ensure residents stayed at home and avoided unnecessary travel.

The Province gave Police the authority to “require any individual to provide their home address and purpose of not being at their residence.”

“In addition, police officers, special constables, and First Nation Constables will have the authority to stop vehicles to inquire about an individual’s reasons for leaving their homes,” said the Province. “The additional enforcement tool will only be in effect during the stay-at-home order and exclusively to enforce the stay-at-home order.”

Added Solicitor General Sylvia Jones: “With our hospital system under significant pressure and the continued increase of COVID-19 variants, we are stepping up enforcement to ensure that people adhere to the stay-at-home order and follow public health measures. This is a critical moment in Ontario’s response to this deadly virus; that is why we are doing whatever it takes to stop the spread and protect our families.”

NEW TEC STATISTICS

As of Monday, April 19, New Tecumseth has seen a total of 1,154 cases of COVID-19 since the start of the global pandemic. 964 cases are now marked as recovered. There have been 17 fatalities attributed to the virus with 8 residents currently in hospital.

Between April 13 and April 19, the community has seen 69 new cases of COVID-19, 44 of which are attributed to either close contact or community acquisition.

By Brock Weir

Readers Comments (0)