Ontario’s government: A return to Stage 2 is not on the table
Posted September 30, 2020 3:00 pm.
Last Updated September 30, 2020 3:39 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Despite new COVID-19 modelling that projects Ontario could see 1,000 new cases a day by October, the premier says a push back to Stage 2 – specifically for hotspots like Toronto – is not imminent.
Doug Ford made the comments on Wednesday, joined by Minister of Health, Christine Elliott, and Ontario’s top doctor, David Williams.
“We aren’t rolling back today, not saying that’s never going to happen, but that’s not the conversation we are going to have today,” Ford said, point blank, on Wednesday.
“When you talk about basically shutting down the economy, that’s a very tough decision. Again, I’ll always listen to the health and signs from Dr. Williams. I take the economy very seriously, it’s not the same as it was before, we know a lot more, we’re better prepared and we have the PPEs.”
Neither Ford nor Elliott are ruling out the idea that going back to Stage 2 is an option for the future.
The City reported 288 COVID-19 cases on Wednesday. The Cumulative rate, per a 100,000 population, currently stands at 579.5, per the data.
Toronto has recorded over 18,000 total COVID-19 infections to date.
Ontario also released its full fall preparedness plan with details on what the Ford government will do to help contain a second wave.
You can view the document, in full, here.
Ontario Schools
Ford also said schools will remain open; a statement that was backed by Williams.
“Every parent I’ve talked to, I am sure it’s not 100 per cent, the one’s I talked to and kids I talked to – they’re as happy as punch to be back in school,” the premier said.
“The minister has done a great job. Another quick shout out to the teachers and school boards, you guys are absolute champs.”
Williams says Ontario school boards “have to house children”, admitting that it’s critically important for their mental health to keep them in school.
Ontario reported 52 new infections in its schools, as well as additional cases seen across schools in the GTA.
