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Ontario moves to reopen economy with phased approach

Public health officials want to see drop in new COVID-19 cases before relaxing restrictions
City photo (Ontario Chamber of Commerce)
(Ontario Chamber of Commerce photo)

Public health officials will advise the Ontario government each step of the way on its staged approach toward reopening the economy.

In presenting its plan for coming out of the pandemic-induced State of Emergency, Queen’s Park laid out the blueprint of reopening businesses, services and public spaces in a document entitled The Framework for Reopening our Province on April 27.

Though specifics are lacking, each of the three stages involves relaxing of restrictions of select workplaces, public areas, and gradually allowance of gatherings of more and more people, while putting mitigation measures and protections in place for vulnerable populations.

Each stage would be two to four weeks apart to allow Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health and health officials to gauge conditions, based on certain health data metrics and having sufficient medical capacity in place, before moving to the next one.

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Meanwhile, a provincial jobs and recovery committee of cabinet ministers and the head of the Treasury Board is putting together an action plan to restart the economy in consultation with multiple economic sectors; municipal, Indigenous and corporate leaders; business associations, small business owners; not-for-profits, and post-secondary institutions.

"Recent public health indicators show us that we're beginning to turn a corner in the COVID-19 outbreak, while economic data, feedback from businesses and insights from our communities are outlining how we need to plan for economic recovery," said Finance Minister Rod Phillips in a statement.

"Turning on an economy after an unprecedented shut-down is not as simple as flipping a switch. We need to plan this out carefully to ensure we do not spark a sudden outbreak, undo the progress we have made and put the safety of the public at risk."

Some of the data and benchmarks public health officials will be following toward easing restrictions will be based on a consistent two-to-four week decrease in number of new daily COVID-19 cases, and having sufficient PPE (personal protective equipment) and access to ventilators in place, among other factors.

Ontario Chamber of Commerce president Rocco Rossi called the measured approach “the right response” in working hand-in-hand with public health officials, other levels of government, and the business community.

“While Ontario business is eager to get the economy moving again, the safety of workers and consumers must be paramount.”

Rossi said the hardest hit parts of the economy has been small- and medium-sized enterprises in rural parts of Ontario where capital and other infrastructure is limited to deliver goods and services.

“It will be critical that businesses are able to access adequate PPE along with updated guidelines and education on proper use and other health and safety considerations related to combatting COVID-19 so that they are able to appropriately re-open.”