Sources indicate Ontario government planning province-wide lockdown
Published December 20, 2020 at 8:38 pm
Sources are indicating that the Ontario government is planning to implement a province-wide lockdown starting on Christmas Eve (Thursday, December 24).
Currently, heavily impacted regions including Peel and Toronto are in an extended lockdown (the Grey category within the Provincial COVID-19 Response Framework), with Hamilton to join them starting on Monday, December 21.
However, a province-wide lockdown would mean all of Ontario’s regions would be moved into the Grey category, including less affected regions.
In lockdown regions, indoor and outdoor service at restaurants, bars, and food/drink establishments is not permitted, and most businesses except those deemed essential are closed to indoor shopping. Indoor public events and social gatherings (except with members of the same households) are also not permitted, among other restrictions.
While the province has not officially confirmed anything at this time, Premier Doug Ford is expected to announce Ontario’s next steps on Monday after what has been described as a “weekend of emergency talks.”
The province reported 2,316 new COVID-19 cases today and 25 deaths linked to the virus.
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Locally, there are 486 new cases in Toronto, 468 in Peel, 326 in York Region, 151 in Windsor-Essex County and 128 in Niagara.
Over 69,400 additional COVID-19 tests have been completed since yesterday.
With files from The Canadian Press
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