Ford warns new COVID-19 measures could be coming to Ontario's hotspots

Premier Doug Ford warns that new COVID-19 measures are coming for Ontario hotspots as cases continue to surge.

During a press conference on Wednesday, Ford said, “We continue to see troubling numbers in Peel, Toronto, and York Region. It’s spreading at alarming rates in these areas.”

He added that the situation “is extremely serious” and that the province is “staring down the barrel of another lockdown.”

The premier added that last week he asked Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams what can be done to flatten the curve of the second wave.

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“We expect new measures to be announced soon after we speak to cabinet. Expect an announcement in the coming days,” he said.

He added that it could be as soon as Friday.

When a reporter asked Ford about cases rising because residents are having people over in their homes for parties, birthdays, and sleepovers, the premier said to not have people over.

“My job is to protect the health and safety of every Ontarian. If it means locking down from the chief medical officer, that’s what we’ll be doing.”

The premier added that hospitals in Toronto are hitting capacity and that “we need to be responsible.”

“I’m done with people holding parties, having get-togethers. Everyone in these regions has to hunker down,” the premier said. “There are careless people out there having parties.”

On Monday, Hamilton, Halton, Peel, and York moved into the red “control zone.”