April 28, 2020
Premier Ford has announced that the Ontario government is “able to consider plans to move into the next phase of our battle against the COVID-19″ and detailed the criteria that Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health and health experts will use to advise the government on the loosening of emergency measures. It will also provide guiding principles for the safe, gradual reopening of businesses, services and public spaces. My summary is provided below.
Click here if you would like to read the full details of the government’s A Framework for Reopening our Province.
Guiding Principles for Reopening Ontario Economy
The government is planning a stage-by-stage approach to reopening the economy to ensure there are appropriate measures in place so workplaces can open safely.
Public health officials will carefully monitor each stage for two to four weeks, as they assess the evolution of the COVID-19 outbreak to determine if it is necessary to change course to maintain public health.
It was stressed that throughout each stage, continued protections for vulnerable populations must be in place, along with the continued practice of physical distancing, hand washing and respiratory hygiene, and significant mitigation plans to limit health risks.
Stage 1
- For businesses that were ordered to close or restrict operations, opening select workplaces that can immediately modify operations to meet public health guidance.
- Opening some outdoor spaces like parks and allowing for a greater number of individuals to attend some events.
- Hospitals would also begin to offer some non-urgent and scheduled surgeries, and other health care services.
Stage 2
- Opening more workplaces, based on risk assessments, which may include some service industries and additional office and retail workplaces.
- Some larger public gatherings would be allowed, and
- more outdoor spaces would open.
Stage 3
- Opening of all workplaces responsibly and further relaxing of restrictions on public gatherings.
The Chief Medical Officer of Health and health experts will provide advice to the government about easing public health measures using a range of set criteria, including:
- A consistent two-to-four week decrease in the number of new daily COVID-19 cases;
- Sufficient acute and critical care capacity, including access to ventilators and ongoing availability of personal protective equipment;
- Approximately 90 per cent of new COVID-19 contacts are being reached by local public health officials within one day, with guidance and direction to contain community spread; and
- Ongoing testing of suspected COVID-19 cases, especially of vulnerable populations, to detect new outbreaks quickly.
It was also announced that a new Ontario Jobs and Recovery Committee has been formed and will be consulting with key sectors in all regions to assess the impact of COVID-19 on the provincial economy and develop a plan to move forward.
The government and Members of Provincial Parliament will lead discussions with business associations, chambers of commerce, municipal leaders, the postsecondary sector, corporate leaders, small business owners, community and social service providers, Indigenous partners, Franco-Ontarians, entrepreneurs and others.
Consultations will be starting in the coming days and government officials will be reaching out to stakeholders to gather this information.
If you or your organization want to help shape this economic recovery plan, it is important to be proactive in this regard by reaching out to your local MPP and relevant Minister.