Ontario premier reveals new details on province's reopening plan
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says his government is finalizing its plans to exit the final stage of its reopening plan in order to “cautiously lift more public health measures” currently in place.
The premier made the comments during a news conference on Friday, which formally announced the launch of the province’s new enhanced COVID-19 vaccine verification app and QR code system.
He said the exit plan will be revealed sometime next week, and will provide clear guidelines with dates and timelines to allow businesses and Ontario residents to have a better idea of what to expect in the months ahead.
“The work began months ago and we're finalizing the plan now, including where and when we may need to reapply measures should they be required to stop a surge in transmission,” Ford told reporters on Friday.
“The chief medical officer of health has been clear. The objective is to avoid further lockdowns, and if additional measures are necessary, they will be localized, tailored and aimed at limiting disruption to businesses and families because this is not just a plan for the short term, but for the long term.”
Sources with knowledge of the plan told CTV News Toronto earlier this week that the province is working on a post-Step three strategy that will lift capacity limits on businesses where vaccine certificates are required.
Last week, the restaurants and bars slammed the province after they were excluded from the list of venues in Ontario that were allowed again to operate at full capacity.
Ford said the decision came from the provincial health table and from the Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore, who agreed to hold back on further expansions at the time. Ford said a plan will be announced for the restaurant industry next week.
“We're going to get to the restaurants. We're going to be rolling out a comprehensive plan, one that will stand the test of time,” he said. “I'm not going to rush it because anything you do in this pandemic and you rush, it can backfire on you, but we have a comprehensive plan that we're rolling out next week.”
Moore said the province’s plan would have information about dates and timelines on the further reopening of the economy.
NEW ENHANCED VACCINE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM LAUNCHES TODAY
Premier Ford formally launched Ontario's COVID-19 vaccine verification app and QR code system on Friday.
While businesses can download the new free app now, some Ontario residents will not be able to download the enhanced certificates with the QR codes until later this weekend as it will initially only be available in cohorts based on date of birth.
“Together, the enhanced certificate and Verify Ontario app will make it easier and more secure for Ontarians to show their proof of vaccine,” Ford told reporters on Friday.
"Starting today, individuals born in January, February, March and April can log on to Ontario's vaccine portal to download their enhanced certificate, which now includes their official QR code."
Over the next few days, the province will allow people with later birth dates to access the portal. The portal will be open to everyone on Oct. 18.
Since Sept. 22, residents in the province have needed proof of vaccination in order to visit some non-essential businesses and services in Ontario.
For nearly a month now, residents have been using a COVID-19 receipt and government identification to prove their vaccination status, but now they will be able to use the enhanced QR code instead that businesses can scan with the new app.
Currently, people need to be fully vaccinated to enter gyms, indoor restaurants, movie theatres, indoor meeting and event spaces, sports venues and concert halls.
“[These certificates] mean we have the best chance to avoid being forced back into lockdowns that nobody wants. Much like the vaccine rollout, we asked Ontarians to pull together and you've responded once again,” Ford said on Friday.
“We’re doing well because our approach was cautious and built on the advice of our public health experts. We have seen what happens in other provinces that move to quickly and the result can be devastating.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
South Korean sentenced to 14 months in jail for killing 76 cats
South Korean man has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for killing 76 cats in one of the country's most gruesome cases of animal cruelty in recent years.