In a news conference at Queen’s Park, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Health Minister Christine Elliott provide an update on their government’s response to the ongoing COVID-19 (coronavirus disease) pandemic. They are joined by Dr. David Williams, Ontario’s chief medical officer of health, and Adalsteinn Brown, co-chair of the Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table. The premier is expected to announce a month-long shutdown for the entire province. The new public-health restrictions would mean the closing of some non-essential services including gyms and indoor dining at restaurants. Essential businesses would remain open at 50 per cent capacity while non-essential retail stores would be allowed to operate at 25 per cent capacity. Indoor gatherings would be prohibited and outdoor gatherings limited to five people. The measures, expected to take effect on April 3, come following a sharp increase in new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in the province.
