Ontario asks people to work from home as COVID-19 cases increase
Ontario's top doctor says he is asking employers to continue allowing people to work from home whenever possible as COVID-19 cases increase in the province.
Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore made the comment during a press conference on Friday, where he addressed the rising case count and announced changes to the province's proof of vaccination system.
"Just as I am asking individuals to continue practicing public health measures and get vaccinated, I’m also asking businesses and organizations to remain diligent and vigilant," Moore said. "We are asking that employers ask their employees to work from home whenever possible."
Moore said when people work from home it helps to reduce mobility in the province, which ultimately reduces disease transmission.
In late November, the City of Toronto announced it would be reopening all of its office buildings at maximum capacity in January and asking employees to return to the office at least part-time.
Mayor John Tory said he hopes that the move will motivate other employers to reopen their workplaces.
The City of Toronto said in a statement to CTV News Toronto they are "reviewing today's provincial announcement."
"Our return-to-office plans are slated to start three weeks from now on Jan. 4. As the City said in its announcement on November 30, decisions are subject to review day-by-day based on science and public health guidance, as has been the case in Toronto throughout the pandemic," city spokesperson Brad Ross said.
Meanwhile, Moore said that Ontario is seeing a sharp rise in cases of the Omicron COVID-19 variant, and this strain now represents 10 per cent of all new infections in the province.
He said projections from Public Health Ontario show that this trend will continue at a rapid pace and Omicron will be the dominate strain by the beginning of January.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Western University researchers unlock potential 'cure' for ALS
New research out of London, Ont.'s Western University is shedding light on a potential cure for ALS, in which the targeting of the interaction between two proteins can halt or fully reverse the disease's progression.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Kamala Harris drops F-bomb during White House live-stream
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris used a profanity on Monday while offering advice to young Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders about how to break through barriers.
B.C. man fighting for refund after finding someone living at Whistler vacation rental
Edwin Mostered spent thousands of dollars booking a vacation home in Whistler, B.C., for a group skiing trip earlier this year – or so he thought.
Avs forward Valeri Nichushkin suspended at least six months
Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin was suspended for at least six months without pay and placed in Stage 3 of the league's player assistance program.
Collapsed Baltimore bridge span comes down with a boom after crews set off chain of explosives
Crews conducted a controlled demolition Monday to break down the largest remaining span of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
Security video caught admitted serial killer disposing of bodies in Winnipeg garbage bins
Security video caught admitted serial killer Jeremy Skibicki on multiple late-night outings, disposing of body parts in nearby garbage bins and dumpsters in the middle of the night.
Mortgage companies could intensify the next recession, U.S. officials warn
U.S. officials worry the next recession could be intensified by a cascading series of failures in the mortgage industry caused by crashing home prices, frozen financial markets and soaring delinquencies.