Eastern Ontario's top doctor wants Ontario to wait 21 days before entering Step 2
Eastern Ontario's medical officer of health wants the Ontario government to stick to the three-week timeline in the Roadmap to Reopen plan before easing more restrictions, to allow more time for people to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Premier Doug Ford plans to meet with chief medical officer of health Dr. David Williams to discuss whether Ontario can make an earlier move to Step 2.
Ontario's three-step plan released in May stated the province must stay in each stage for at least 21 days. Step 1 began in Ottawa on June 11, meaning Step 2 is scheduled to begin on July 2.
Speaking on CTV News at Five, Dr. Paul Roumeliotis said he would like Ontario to wait the full three weeks before relaxing the restrictions.
"I would stick to the 21 days," said Dr. Roumeliotis.
"We're seeing wastewater numbers go up in Ottawa, as well as in other parts of the province. We're worried about the Delta."
On Thursday, Ontario added Hamilton, Simcoe-Muskoka and Durham Region to the Delta variant hot spot list, which means adult residents in those areas are eligible to book their second vaccine sooner.
Dr. Roumeliotis said waiting the full 21 days before moving to Step 2 would allow the province to get the vaccination numbers up.
"So I think it's worth the extra couple of days of the sacrifice of not opening earlier just to give us enough time to be able to ensure the (COVID case) numbers are down and that we continue our vaccination process," said Dr. Roumeliotis.
"You know, we're vaccinating 200,000 people a day, so a three or four-day difference would make over half-a-million people given a second dose."
On Thursday, Dr. Williams said he would only consider speeding up Step 2 by "a day or two."
"There's an end to the journey in sight," Williams said. "Let's make sure we get there safely, rather than doing something careless or reckless along the way."
To enter Step 2 under the reopening plan, 70 per cent of adults need to be vaccinated with one dose and 20 per cent vaccinated with two doses.
When Ontario moves to Step 2, indoor gatherings of up to five people are allowed, along with outdoor gatherings of up to 25 people.
Here is a look at what's allowed in Ottawa in Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen plan:
- Outdoor dining for up to six people per table
- Essential retail at 50 per cent capacity
- Non-essential retail capacity at 25 per cent
- Personal care services where face coverings can be worn at all times
- Outdoor cinemas and performing arts with capacity limits
- Outdoor boat tour operators
- Outdoor tour and guide services with capacity limits
- Outdoor sports leagues and events
- Public libraries with capacity limits
- Outdoor waterparks and amusement parks with capacity limits
- Fairs and rural exhibitions with capacity limits
With files from CTV News Toronto's Sean Davidson
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada Disability Benefit needs to be safeguarded from clawbacks, MPs unanimously agree
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Security guard shot, seriously injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.
Testifying in hush money trial, adult film actor Stormy Daniels describes first meeting Trump
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential election 10 years later.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Turfing Poilievre from House a clear sign of desperation by Trudeau Liberals
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Apple unveils new iPad Pro with 'outrageously powerful' AI-powered chip
Apple is hoping its latest iPad lineup will breathe new life into its sluggish tablet market. In a pre-recorded live streamed event from its Cupertino, California headquarters, the company introduced the latest versions of its iPad Pro and iPad Air tablets, and an all-new Apple Pencil Pro.
Katy Perry's mom was fooled by AI images of the singer at the Met Gala
Katy Perry did not attend the Met Gala on Monday, but some of the singer’s fans – and even her mom – thought she did.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.