Ford supports Toronto and Peel’s recommendations to allow for outdoor activities in Grey Zone
Posted March 18, 2021 2:09 pm.
Last Updated March 18, 2021 4:22 pm.
Of all the regions across the province, Toronto and Peel Region have faced the most COVID-19 restrictions for the longest amount of time.
With those two public health units still under Ontario’s “Grey-Lockdown” category, Premier Doug Ford was asked today, given that those two areas continue to lead the case count, do lockdowns really work.
“Some people may think it’s OK to open it wide open and every man, woman, and child for themselves – I don’t believe that,” said Ford.
“I believe we have to be super cautious.”
Ford says he keeps hearing it is a race between the virus and vaccines, and that the virus will win until more people are vaccinated.
The Premier also commented on recent recommendations brought forward by Toronto and Peel’s top doctors, which would allow for restrictions in the Grey Zone to be eased strictly for outdoor events; such as patio dining.
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Ford says he always leans in favour of letting people do more activities outside but that he will “listen to the science and data” before making any decision.
Both Dr. Eileen De Villa and Dr. Lawrence Loh said Wednesday they wanted to keep their communities in the strictest category of Ontario’s colour-coded pandemic framework, but with the aforementioned alterations designed to let people gather outdoors.
The Grey zone allows retailers to open with restrictions but bans indoor restaurant dining, gyms, and personal care services.
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Mayor John Tory said he understands the need for a provincial framework but there are unique factors in a large, diverse city like Toronto that needs to be considered.
It’s expected the province will announce its decision on the city’s request on Friday.
“To me, it has always been less about colours at any given point in time, and more about what makes the most sense,” said the Mayor.
De Villa said Wednesday it’s not yet safe for her to recommend the city move to the second-strictest “Red-Control” zone of the framework, but public health authorities are proposing a “modest” expansion of outdoor activities that can be allowed in the meantime.
“We are moving to a new season and warmer weather and we have evidence that outdoor activity is lower risk than indoor activity,” said de Villa.
“In our conversations (with the province), we’ve indicated an openness to a modest expansion of the options available for the people of Toronto, particularly, outdoor-focused activity.”
Dr. Lawrence Loh said the latest virus trends do not support further broad reopening at this time, but the region wants to strike a balance between the warmer weather, the growth of variant cases, vaccine supply, and community fatigue.
Both Toronto and Peel’s community risk levels are considered high at the moment. As of Thursday, Toronto’s Rt: Effective Reproductive Number stands at 1.07 while Peel’s currently sits at 1.05.
The percent positivity dipped slightly to 4.69 in Peel and 4.22 in Toronto.
With files from The Canadian Press
