Calls to speed up Ontario's reopening plans grows as COVID cases drop in Ottawa and across Ontario
There are growing calls, ahead of Friday's Step 1 of the province's COVID-19 reopening plan, to speed up the pace of the plan.
As COVID case numbers plummet in Ontario, some experts say it’s time to re-evaluate the timelines.
At La Favorita on Preston Street, owner Nick Shallal is rushing to reopen his patio this weekend, but it won’t be easy with a busy first weekend looming.
"To arrange with the staff that’s been away for a while, it’s not that easy, but we’re going to make it I hope on Friday we’re going to be ready to go, full-scale patio," he said.
On Wednesday, Ottawa recorded another very low COVID case count and many neighbouring communities were down to zero, sparking a push for a faster reopening.
"I’m sinking. Every day that goes by that’s income I’m losing," said Sarah Cross, owner of Salon Bliss.
"Right now what’s happening in stage 1 is things that should be open anyway, and to be honest with you, looking at stage 2, that is what we should be looking at right now," said Dr. Sumon Chakrabarti, infectious diseases physician.
"And if we’re going to re-evaluate scientifically what’s happening on the ground, I do think this reopening plan should be significantly accelerated."
Hair Salons won’t reopen until July and limited CFL crowds outdoors won’t happen until August.
"It doesn’t make any sense. I have a lack of trust in our authorities telling us that we can’t reopen when scientists, doctors are saying there’s no reason for this," said Cross.
"The plan is definitely too slow when you look at what’s happening on the ground right now, we really should re-evaluate," said Dr. Chakrabarti.
Despite the low numbers, Ottawa’s top doctor said she supports a slower reopening.
"The numbers we see today represent activity that happened two weeks ago, and what happens Friday we won’t see the results until two weeks after that," said Dr. Vera Etches, medical officer of health.
The entire province is set to reopen Friday, 21 days later would be the earliest Ontario could move to Step 2 under the current plan. Step 3 would happen 21 days after Ontario enters Step 2, which would be late July.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Manitoba mom praises quick-thinking fire department for freeing daughter stuck in playground equipment
A Manitoba mother is praising firefighters for their quick work in helping her daughter who got stuck at a playground in Lorette, Man.