Ontario tips over threshold for moving to Step 2. What happens next?
Ontario passed the threshold for moving into Step 2 on Friday but the province's top doctor said he would only consider speeding up the reopening process by "a day or two."
Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams made the comment on Thursday during a briefing at Queen's Park.
He said it's possible Ontario could move into Step 2 slightly earlier than the original July 2 date, but dismissed the idea that it would come any earlier than that.
"There's an end to the journey in sight," Williams said. "Let's make sure we get there safely, rather than doing something careless or reckless along the way."
"We want to make sure we’re careful as we go forward."
Ontario entered Step 1 on June 11, which was three days earlier than the original target set by the government.
According to the province’s reopening plan, Ontario must wait at least 21 days to assess the COVID-19 trends before easing restrictions further.
"Let's stay the course," Williams said. "We're going to have to move the yardstick even further to get to Step 2."
"People just have to be patient."
On Thursday, Ford said he would only green-light an early move to Step 2 if it is approved by Williams.
"There's no one who wants to open this economy more than I do,” Ford said. "I just want to make sure we do it cautiously. I want to get the stamp of approval from all the docs and we’re going to be well on our way."
To enter Step 2, 70 per cent of adults need to be vaccinated with one dose and 20 per cent vaccinated with two doses.
To date, 75 per cent of Ontarians have received their first dose, while 20 per cent have had both doses.
The province has previously said it wants to wait two weeks after hitting the threshold to ease restrictions. The final decision would be made by cabinet at Queen's Park.
Infectious disease specialist and member of Ontario's COVID-19 vaccine task force Dr. Isaac Bogoch said Thursday that there should be flexibility within the reopening plan depending on public health trends.
"Those dates should not be set in stone," Bogoch said. "There should be some flexibility with those dates and we have to be able to pivot."
Step 2 will allow for indoor gatherings of up to five people, along with outdoor gatherings of 25 people.
Outdoor sports and leagues can resume, along with personal care services, where a face covering can be worn.
Indoor religious services can also resume at 15 per cent capacity.
Essential retail restrictions will be eased, with essential retailers allowed 50 per cent capacity and non-essential 25 per cent.
Outdoor amusement and water parks can also reopen. Outdoor cinemas, performing arts, live music, events and attractions can also being to operate again.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.