Ontario will be shut down at the provincial level on December 26

TORONTO, ON – Ontario announced a provincial shutdown on Monday due to a second wave of COVID-19 in Canada’s most populous province.

The blockade will be operational for southern Ontario from December 26 to January 23, but will be lifted for northern Ontario on January 9. Health officials criticized the delay, with only one top doctor with infectious diseases saying it was ridiculous to wait until the next day after Christmas to close.

Ontario had seven consecutive days of more than 2,000 cases a day. Modeling shows it could double in January. Health officials said earlier that a severe blockade of four to six weeks could significantly stop the spread of COVID-19.

Toronto, Canada’s largest city, had already closed restaurants for indoor dining, but schools remained open. All high schools in Ontario will now be closed for personal learning until January 25th. Elementary schools will be closed until January 11.

Following cases of COVID-19 in the spring, Canada flattened the epidemic curve through a blockage. But, as in other countries, COVID fatigue set in, restrictions were eased and a second wave was launched.

“We have flattened the curve forward and we can do it again,” said Health Minister Christine Elliott.

Dr. Barbara Yaffe, associate chief medical officer, said Ontario is in a very difficult and precarious situation.

“There are outbreaks where people gather,” Yaffe said.

Ontario Prime Minister Doug Ford said the delay until December 26 will allow companies outside the current blockade areas to prepare for it. He said it allows restaurants the chance to sell some of their inventory.

“I don’t include anything,” Ford said. “I have to be fair to these companies that have a massive inventory.”

Dr. Andrew Morris, a professor of infectious diseases at the University of Toronto and medical director of the antimicrobial administration program at the Sinai-University Health Network, said Ford is prioritizing the economy over delayed health.

“Ridiculous. Costing lives. For what ?!” Morris said.

The Ontario Hospital Association said in a statement that it was “surprised and disappointed” that the blockade would not happen for another five days.

“People in this province need a clear communication on public health, and the implementation date of December 26 sends a confusing message about what should and should not do at this crucial time. We already hear from the leaders of the hospitals and the health system, shocked that the restrictions will not come into force until after Christmas “, said the president of the association, Anthony Dale.

Dr. Naveed Mohammad, CEO of the William Osler Health System, which operates hospitals in a Toronto suburb, said people should act as if the blockage has already begun.

“Until people in this province realize what each home trip risks for them and their loved ones, we will not go through it,” he said, noting that hospitals in Brampton, Ontario, are facing capacity. “Please stay home from today.”