Ontario is set to open some businesses on May 4th. So much for waiting for a consistent decline in reported cases and deaths. It says right in their published plans, a consistent 2 to 4 week decline in reported cases, we have been declining for 7 days only.
The province says the following businesses will be able to begin operating on May 4 at 12:01 a.m.:
- Garden centres and nurseries with curbside pick-up and delivery only.
- Lawn care and landscaping.
- Additional essential construction projects that include: shipping and logistics; broadband, telecommunications, and digital infrastructure; any other project that supports the improved delivery of goods and services; municipal projects; colleges and universities; child care centres; schools; and site preparation, excavation, and servicing for institutional, commercial, industrial and residential development.
- Automatic and self-serve car washes.
- Auto dealerships, open by appointment only.
- Golf courses may prepare their courses for the upcoming season, but not open to the public.
- Marinas may also begin preparations for the recreational boating season by servicing boats and other watercraft and placing boats in the water, but not open to the public. Boats and watercraft must be secured to a dock in the marina until public access is allowed.
The province also noted in its news release that it is "critical" that people continue to stay home, practise physical distancing, and only go out for essential reasons.
Ford isn't the only leader to relax rules. On Friday, Toronto Mayor John Tory suggested people can enjoy the outdoors this weekend so long as they're mindful to keep their distance from others. "I just think if people are careful and they're mindful of the two meters they can go to the park, even though I know we're supposed to be telling them to stay home," he said.
The province released a new framework for reopening Ontario earlier this week. That framework said Ontario must see a "consistent two-to-four week decrease in the number of new daily COVID-19 cases" before the government can start loosening restrictions and begin reopening the economy.
Ford echoed that sentiment Friday, saying he wants to see two weeks of "real positive results" before more restrictions are loosened.
Btw, curb-side pickup at garden centers, has already been going on for weeks, as well as at many other places. I guess the only major change is contruction being allowed to start up again. (for new projects, existing projects were already being worked on again)
