TORONTO – Ontario Premier doesn’t want to be the Grinch who stole Christmas, but he was left with little choice.
On Wednesday the province laid down the holiday hammer, sternly asking resident to strongly consider their holiday celebration plans and asking those in all regions of Ontario to refrain from gathering for Christmas with anyone outside of their immediate household.
It won’t be easy, but given the average number of daily COVID-19 cases being diagnosed in the province, including more than 1,300 on Wednesday alone, it’s absolutely imperative that everyone do their part, Ford said.
“I know there are many people looking forward to their traditional family celebrations at this time of year, but to keep your loved ones safe, traditions will have to be adjusted," Ford said in a release issued by the province.
"We're asking everyone to please stick to your own household when celebrating. Avoid big holiday parties or large family dinners to help us stop the spread of this deadly virus. By following this public health advice, we can all have a safe and fun holiday season.”
Those who live alone should consider celebrating in person with no more than one additional household.
The government also outlined a number of activities considered as safe, as well as a list of those considered in the riskier category.
Among the safe holiday activities are virtual gatherings with family, friends or co-workers, outdoor fun like building a snowman or going on a sleigh ride with household members, visiting Santa Claus outdoors and taking socially distanced photos, or attending a drive-in or drive-through event.
Holiday movies with immediate family, decorating your home, lighting a menorah, baking holiday treats and donations to holiday charities are also considered safe activities.
Actions that will get Ontarians on Ford’s naughty list include in-person holiday gatherings, particularly those that require removing of masks or face coverings to eat or drink; hosting overnight guests or sleep-overs with friends and family from outside one’s household, visiting Santa indoors or sitting on Santa’s lap, visiting family and friends for non-essential reasons and travelling to and from high-transmission areas.
The province plans to launch a website to provide guidance to the public as they plan for a safe holiday season.
"The holidays are a special time of the year for many people, and while we all want to spend time with family and friends, we must celebrate safely to stop the spread of COVID-19," said Health Minister Christine Elliott.
"With the recent news about several vaccines there's light at the end of the tunnel. I realize that it won't be easy, but we must continue to follow public health advice and look for new and creative ways to celebrate this year."
It’s just not a good idea to travel or visit friends and family in 2020, said Ontario medical officer of health Dr. David Williams.
"We understand the traditional importance of visiting family and gathering during the holiday season, but as we are continuing to live in unprecedented times, we need to look at new ways of celebrating and marking special occasions," Williams said.
"Everyone has a role to play in stopping the spread of COVID-19 and by strictly following these measures we can all plan for a healthy holiday season while keeping our loved ones safe."
The current indoor gathering limit in Thunder Bay, which is in the Yellow-Protect category, is 10 people. The outdoor gathering limit is 25.
