Ford expected to make province-wide lockdown announcement as COVID-19 cases rise

Premier Doug Ford will make an announcement from Queen’s Park in Toronto Thursday afternoon where he’s expected to reveal stricter public health measures to curb COVID-19 spread.

According to CBC, sources Ford plans to move the province into what’s described as “shutdown” measures, comparable to that in the Grey zone of Ontario’s framework.

Ford said earlier this week that he won’t hesitate to lock things down again, and some doctors have been calling for action as COVID-19 ICU admissions in the province soared to an all-time high of 421 on Wednesday.

• See also:
  • Toronto’s top doctor hints province-wide measures necessary to curb COVID-19 spread
  • Ford “won’t hesitate to lock things down again” as COVID-19 cases surge
  • Toronto wants province to expand COVID-19 vaccination ages as appointments go unfilled

Ontario’s daily COVID-19 infections have been above 2,000 for seven days straight now, and another six Toronto schools closed due to outbreaks on Wednesday.

Officials have relaxed certain rules in Grey-Lockdown zones recently by allowing patio dining and outdoor fitness classes.

Personal care businesses such as hair salons are scheduled to re-open in Grey zones on April 12, but Toronto Mayor John Tory questioned whether that would happen since COVID-19 indicators have gotten worse since the target date was set.

The announcement will start at 1:30 pm.