‘Sooner than later:’ Premier Ford provides an update on reopening, haircuts and summer camps

“Sooner than later:” that is the message from Premier Doug Ford on when we might see things start to reopen again.

Ford joined Roz and Mocha on KiSS 92.5 Tuesday morning and shared on everything from when we might be able to get our hair cut or if the CNE will be able to happen this year.

“In the public domain, we are doing pretty good,” said Ford. “Everyone is pitching in and doing what they can do get through this pandemic and get rid of this terrible virus.”

He said having people get back to work is going to happen sooner than later the way the curve is tracking, but he will continue to rely on the Chief Medical Officer of Health’s advice.

Ford told retail businesses Monday to start preparing to reopen in his daily press conference.

As for when we might be able to get our haircuts, Ford joked his own hair hadn’t looked like it currently does since the 1980s, but said, “Based on the Chief Medical Officer, maybe a few weeks. I just can’t promise [anything] … we just have to listen to the medical officers.”

Ford said he was pleased to see many people still respecting social distancing this weekend despite the nice weather and was asked about potentially telling people it was ok to head to their cottages by the Victoria Day weekend.

“I have call on Thursday with all the mayors in cottage country. There is only so long I can hold back the gates, people pay their taxes,” said Ford. “As long as the numbers are good, I can’t see how we can tell people not to go up to their cottage. In saying this, even a month or two months down the road, life is going to be different. we still have to social distance.”

Roz and Mocha asked if summer camps will be able to be held this year, “I’m just crossing my fingers that we can get the kids to camp. That’s a highlight for them … I’m going to do everything I can as long as health and safety comes first and foremost. The last thing I’m going to do is put our kids in jeopardy.” He reiterated the same point when asked if the school year might continue.

Schools across the province will be closed until at least May 30.

Another highlight of many people’s summer is the CNE. No decisions have been made for the event held every year on Exhibition grounds in Toronto which attracts 10s of thousands of people to the city. Ford said as of now, it would be tough to predict whether we would be able to have large gatherings by the end of August.

It’s expected to run from August 21 until September 7.

Roz and Mocha also asked if he has heard anything from the major sports leagues about when they might be able to come back, Ford said from what he has been told, they are planning to start across North America with empty stadiums, but the timing is still unknown.

Ford also shared a small update on his mother-in-law who was diagnosed with COVID-19 last month at the West Park long-term care home in Etobicoke.

He said she was doing alright and they are praying she pulls through. He added it wasn’t just about his family, but “It’s not us or family it’s about the 14.5 million people in long-term care, it breaks your heart and all the pain the families are going through.”

Finally, Ford was asked about the people who have showed up at Queen’s Park to protest the lockdown measures for the last two weekends and why we haven’t seen more enforcement of the groups.

“There’s no premier, prime minister or mayor who is allowed to direct the police. I’m going to leave it with them to deal with that,” Ford said. He added he understands people want to get back to work, but “we have to make sure we do it safely and we follow the protocols.”

“God forbid this comes back and bites us in the backside again, that would be devastating to the economy and to the people … We just want to make sure everything is hunky dory and get people out there slowly but surely and get the economy moving.”