THUNDER BAY - With daily COVID-19 cases in Ontario increasing rapidly in recent days, the provincial government is implementing new capacity restrictions in an effort to curb the spread fueled by the omicron variant.
Late Friday afternoon, Premier Doug Ford and medical officer of health Dr. Kieran Moore, made the announcement from Queen’s Park.
“Sitting back, playing defense is not an option,” Ford said. “We need to meet this variant head on. We need to do everything we can to push it back. Over the coming days and week daily COVID cases will continue to accelerate.”
The new restrictions include a 50 per cent capacity limit on indoor public settings, including restaurants, bars, personal care services, retail stores including grocery stores and pharmacies, shopping malls, gyms, and indoor recreational amenities.
Additional restrictions include a limit of 10 people seated at a table, requiring patrons to remain seated in restaurants and bars, as well as restaurants and bars being required to close by 11 p.m., though takeout will still be available.
Food and drinks can also no longer be served at sporting events, concerts, casinos, and cinemas and the sale of alcohol will be restricted after 10 p.m.
Indoor gatherings are also to be limited to 10 people, while outdoor gatherings are limited at 25. Weddings, funerals, and religious ceremonies are not included in the restrictions.
The restrictions will take effect at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday Dec. 19.
“As the rapidly spreading Omicron variant becomes the dominant strain of COVID-19 in Ontario, it is necessary to apply additional public health and workplace safety measures to reduce transmission, protect our health system and save lives,” Moore said.
“We all have a role to play in keeping ourselves, friends, families, neighbours and communities safe this holiday season. Please follow all public measures and get vaccinated with your first, second or booster dose if you have not done so already. Omicron will not take a holiday.”
The province has seen a dramatic increase in daily COVID-19 cases, with more than 3,100 new cases reported on Friday.
Modelling released this week revealed that with no intervention, the province could see as many as 10,000 new COVID-19 cases daily by the end of the month.
The rise in cases is being fueled by the omicron variant, which has been found to be more transmissible. Ford said the province must do what it can to slow the spread of the variant in order to prevent hospitals from becoming overwhelmed with admissions.
“This variant is unlike anything we’ve seen,” Ford said. “If we don’t take every single precaution we can, the modelling tells a scary story.”
The province is also expanding its vaccination campaign and will be opening up booster shot eligibility to anyone over the age of 18 starting on Monday, Dec. 20.
Ford added that no decisions have been made yet regarding schools after the holiday break and if students will return to online learning.
“We are not in a position to say,” he said. “The situation is evolving too quickly to say where we will be in early January.”
