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“Individuals need to act now to take pressure off the system which is on the verge of collapse,” said Etches.
The province, which had a total of 732 new cases Friday, announced new restrictions limiting capacity in bars, restaurants, gyms and banquet halls in Ottawa, Toronto and Peel, the three provincial hot spots for COVID-19.
The move, which limits capacity in restaurants and bars to 100 and in banquet halls and other facilities to 50, falls far short of what health leaders and others have been calling for.
Etches, however, encouraged people to rethink weekend plans if that includes going to bars and restaurants with friends.
Provincial officials also said Friday that they are taking steps to help take the pressure off Ottawa’s hospitals, long-term care homes and public health after meeting with city health leaders this week. That includes more long-term care and hospital capacity in the city and a plan to send some COVID-19 tests out of Ottawa to reduce numbers at local labs. In addition, the province announced all COVID-19 assessment centres would be by appointment only beginning next week, a move that is expected to help labs keep up with demand.
“We are going to support them in every way we can,” said Matthew Anderson, president and CEO of Ontario Health.
Since the second wave of COVID-19 began last month, Ottawa has been a sort of canary in the coal mine for the spread and impact of the pandemic in the province this fall.
