These new measures include the temporary move to online learning, the closure of indoor dining and gyms, and the postponement of non-urgent medical procedures
On Jan. 3, the Ontario government announced new COVID-19 restrictions in light of the exponential increase of Omicron cases and pandemic-related hospitalizations within the past month.
The measures will include a temporary move to online learning in private and public schools, regulated capacity limits, and closures throughout the province.
“If we don’t do everything possible to get this variant under control, the results could be catastrophic. It is a risk I cannot take,” said Premier Doug Ford in a Jan. 3 news brief.
Provincial health officials reported 13,578 cases of COVID-19 on Jan. 3, 16,714 cases on Jan. 2, and an all-time high of 18,445 cases on Jan. 1.
Ontario’s seven-day average is now reported to be at 14,435, a considerable increase from 8,318 last week.
With a sudden surge of COVID-19 related hospitalizations, hospitals may begin experiencing mass shortages of ICU beds.
In response to this surge, Ontario Health has advised a number of hospitals, including those in the Guelph and Waterloo Region, to temporarily postpone non-urgent procedures.
According to a Dec. 31 news release by St. Mary’s General Hospital, participating hospitals will be “providing only urgent, emergent and cancer surgical procedures” from Jan. 4 to 17, and “maintaining emergency department services, in-patient care and essential clinics for as long as possible.”
In an effort to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and protect those in the education system, the Ontario government has stated that starting Jan. 5, public and private schools will turn to virtual learning until at least Jan. 17. Free emergency child care will be provided for school-aged children of healthcare professionals and frontline workers, children with specific disabilities, and children who are unable to participate in remote learning.
Ford also announced a number of other restrictions that will come into effect on Jan. 5 and remain until at least Jan. 26.
The new restrictions will include:
- Closure of select indoor establishments, including dining areas in restaurants and bars, saunas, steam rooms, oxygen bars, indoor concert venues, cinemas, theatres, museums, galleries, zoos, science centres, historic sites, amusement parks, festivals, and gyms and indoor recreation facilities. Professional athletes training in Olympics or Paralympics and specific professional athletes in elite sports leagues will have exemptions.
- Food services will be limited to outdoor dining, takeout, drive-through, and delivery.
- Limits to social gatherings, with five people allowed indoors and 10 people allowed outdoors.
- A 50 per cent capacity limit on retail stores, malls, public libraries, personal care services, weddings, funerals, and religious services. Outdoor services must have two-metre social distancing between attendees.
- Remote work for all employees unless their work requires on-site attendance.
For a full list, visit the Ontario government’s COVID-19 public health measures and advice webpage.
Health officials suggest that these public health measures will hopefully limit the spread of the Omicron variant and reduce the pressure on Ontario’s hospitals.
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