"Don't have large parties or gatherings" Ford pleads as Toronto set to enter Stage 3

Premier Doug Ford is warning against having large parties as most of Ontario enters Stage 3 this week.

On Wednesday, the Government of Ontario announced additional businesses and public spaces will be reopening as the province allows the City of Toronto and Peel Region to move into Stage 3 of reopening the province on Friday, July 31 at 12:01 am.

In Stage 3, dine-in restaurants, bars, gyms, fitness centres, live shows, performing arts centres, casinos, concert venues, recreational facilities, team sports, fundraisers, fairs, festivals or open houses, and tour and guide services can reopen.

Groups of 50 are also allowed to congregate indoors and 100 can meet outdoors.

Despite the progress, the premier wants people to remain vigilant.

“Don’t have large parties or gatherings” Ford said during his press conference.

“We can’t take our eye off the ball for a second. It will come back and bite us in the backside, the second wave, like we’ve never seen before.”

Ford also said to stay out of large crowds.

“Until we find a vaccine, we’re living with this,” said the premier.

In a release, Ford said everyone should still follow public health advice, and act responsibly.

“We have made tremendous progress that allows us to return to something a little closer to our normal lives this summer, but we are not out of the woods yet,” he said. This virus is still among us and we have to be extra cautious to avoid sparking a surge or an outbreak. I strongly urge everyone to continue following public health protocols.”

At this time, Windsor-Essex County Health Unit region will remain in Stage 2. The province said it will continue to monitor local trends of key public health indicators in the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit region and move it into Stage 3 when it is safe to do so.