Students in Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick headed back to classrooms on Monday — a move that comes amid a broader easing of restrictions in the two Atlantic provinces.
P.E.I. Premier Dennis King said earlier this month that teachers, administrators, parents and children have been “champions” through the period of remote learning, which had “brought its own challenges.” But as he announced the plan to shift back to in-person learning, the premier said it was time to get students back to classrooms.
New Brunswick started to ease up its rules late last week. Businesses that had been closed, including salons, dining rooms and gyms, were allowed to reopen with capacity limits as of 11:59 p.m. last Friday. Rules around gatherings, sports and recreation also eased up as part of a broader shift to a lower alert level.
New Brunswick on Monday reported a total of 152 COVID-19 hospitalizations — down by 12 from Sunday — with 16 people in the province’s ICUs, according to the province’s posted update. The provincial COVID-19 dashboard also reported five additional deaths, along with 169 new lab-confirmed cases.
Prince Edward Island‘s shift in restrictions begins Monday, with businesses that had been closed allowed to open with capacity limits.
Effective January 31, 2022 – businesses and organizations such as retail, casinos, museums and libraries can have up to 50% capacity with physical distancing. The vax pass program remains in place <a href=”https://t.co/bdu9zqb7Za”>https://t.co/bdu9zqb7Za</a> <a href=”https://t.co/dPprms6Pot”>https://t.co/dPprms6Pot</a>
Gyms are among the businesses on the island allowed to reopen under new COVID-19 measures that take effect today. The province said fitness facilities can reopen at 50 per cent capacity with physical distancing.
Health officials in P.E.I. reported a decrease in the number of hospitalizations from COVID Monday to 15 from 19. There are two people being treated in the ICU. There have also been 234 newly confirmed cases.
In Nova Scotia, there were 93 people in hospital with COVID-19 Monday, including 15 in the ICU. There were also an additional 256 confirmed cases.
Quebec, Ontario begin loosening Omicron restrictions
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Ontario and Quebec have started loosening restrictions brought in because of the Omicron variant as hospitalizations slowly recede. But with hospitals still under extraordinary pressure, doctors are wary of a bounce back. 1:57
With lab-based testing capacity deeply strained and increasingly restricted, experts say true case counts are likely far higher than reported. Hospitalization data at the regional level is also evolving, with several provinces saying they will report figures that separate the number of people in hospital because of COVID-19 from those in hospital for another medical issue who also test positive for COVID-19.
For more information on what is happening in your community — including details on outbreaks, testing capacity and local restrictions — click through to the regional coverage below.
In Central Canada, Canada’s two most populous provinces are embarking on a gradual loosening of restrictions put in place to try and stem the spread of the highly transmissible Omicron variant.
Quebec is easing some COVID-19 restrictions on Monday, including allowing restaurants to open with limited capacity and a return of small private indoor gatherings.
The province on Monday reported 2,888 COVID-19 hospitalizations — down by seven from a day earlier — with 223 people in intensive care units. The COVID-19 situation report posted online by the province also showed 33 additional deaths and 2,423 additional lab-confirmed cases.
Ontario is also moving forward with a plan to ease some restrictions. As of Monday, restaurants, gyms and theatres in the province will welcome patrons back today for the first time in nearly a month. Larger venues will also reopen, with capacity limited to 50 per cent or 500 people — whichever is fewer.
It’s the first step in the province’s plan to gradually ease public health restrictions meant to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Ontario on Monday reported a total of 2,983 COVID-19 hospitalizations — down by 36 from a day earlier — with 583 people in intensive care units across the province. The provincial COVID-19 dashboard also showed a total of 32 additional deaths, though a spokesperson for Health Minister Christine Elliott noted that the deaths had occurred over the past 17 days. The province also reported an additional 3,043 additional lab-confirmed cases.
In the Prairie provinces, health officials in Saskatchewan on Monday reported a total of 363 COVID-19 hospitalizations — up by 14 from a day earlier — with 42 people in ICU. The province also reported two additional deaths and 748 additional lab-confirmed cases. Premier Scott Moe doubled down Monday on his assertion that the COVID-19 vaccine does not reduce transmission of the Omicron variant, something health officials say is false.
Manitoba and Saskatchewan have the highest seven-day case positivity rates in the country, at 32.7 per cent and 33.2 per cent respectively.
Alberta health officials reported Monday that an additional 20 people have been admitted to hospital with COVID-19, bring the total to 1,516, with 99 of them in the ICU. Another 6,537 cases of the virus were also confirmed in the province over the past three days, along with 35 new deaths.
In British Columbia Monday, there were 1,048 patients with COVID-19 in hospital — the first time the number exceeded 1,000 — 138 of them in the ICU. There were also 4,075 newly confirmed cases over the past three days and 19 additional deaths.
Across the North, there were 152 newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Nunavut Monday, with no patients being treated in hospital with the virus.
Health officials in Yukon reported one person in hospital with COVID-19 along with 45 new cases.
There were no patients with COVID-19 in hospital Monday in the Northwest Territories, which reported 251 new cases.
-From CBC News and The Canadian Press, last updated at 8:25 p.m. ET
What’s happening around the world
As of Monday evening, more than 377.7 million cases of COVID-19 had been reported worldwide, according to a case-tracking database maintained by U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University. The reported global death toll stood at more than 5.6 million.
The highly transmissible Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus — the most common form of which is known as BA.1 — now accounts for nearly all of the coronavirus infections globally, although dramatic surges in COVID-19 cases have already peaked in some countries.
Scientists are now tracking a rise in cases caused by a close cousin known as BA.2, which is starting to overtake BA.1 in parts of Europe and Asia. Some early reports indicate that BA.2 may be even more infectious than the already extremely contagious BA.1, but there is no evidence so far that it is more likely to evade vaccine protection.
An ethnic Chinese worshiper wearing a face mask to help curb the spread of the coronavirus prays to celebrate the Lunar New Year at a temple in Jakarta Monday. (Achmad Ibrahim/The Associated Press)
In the Asia-Pacific region, people across Asia prepared Monday for muted Lunar New Year celebrations amid concerns over the coronavirus, even as increasing vaccination rates raised hopes that the Year of the Tiger might bring life back closer to normal.
China has detected 119 COVID-19 cases among athletes and personnel involved in the Beijing Winter Olympics over the past four days, with authorities imposing a “closed loop” bubble to keep participants, staff and media separated from the public.
Tokyo has launched a mass inoculation drive for COVID-19 booster shots at a temporary centre operated by the military as Japan tries to speed up delayed third jabs to counter surging infections.
Japan began administering booster shots to medical workers in December, but has only provided such inoculations to 2.7 per cent of the population after delaying a decision to cut the interval between the first two coronavirus shots and a booster to six months from the initial eight. On a smaller scale, people 65 and older can get booster shots elsewhere.
Staff dressed in COVID-19 safety gear direct people as they make their way through the first steps of customs, COVID-19 testing and accreditations upon arriving at the airport for the Beijing Winter Olympics on Monday. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)
Australia reported its lowest daily COVID deaths in two weeks on Monday while cases continued to trend lower as authorities braced for staff shortages in schools due to likely outbreaks as thousands of students return after their summer break.
Masks are mandatory indoors for older children and millions of at-home antigen tests, still not readily available in many stores, are being rolled out to families free of cost, with children asked to undergo COVID tests twice a week.
In the Middle East, health officials in Iran on Monday said 30 additional people had died from COVID-19 in the last 24 hours. The country also reported 28,995 additional cases.
In Qatar, the Ministry of Health said Sunday it had approved the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children aged 5-11.
A medical staff member prepares to treat a patient with COVID-19 at an ICU of an hospital in Krasnodar, in southern Russia, late last week. (Vitaliy Timkin/The Associated Press)
In Europe, Romania will from Tuesday drop a demand for travellers to quarantine if they are vaccinated, have proof of recovery from COVID-19 or can provide a negative test result, regardless of where they are coming from.
Russia reported a record daily number of COVID-19 cases on Monday as the Omicron variant spread across the country, authorities said. New daily cases jumped to 124,070, up from 121,228 a day earlier. The government coronavirus task force also reported 621 deaths in the last 24 hours.
The German government has failed to hit its goal of vaccinating 80 per cent of the population against COVID-19 before the end of January, roughly a month before lawmakers are expected to vote on a draft law on mandatory vaccinations.
In the Americas, the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advised against travel to a dozen destinations, including Mexico, Brazil, Singapore, Ecuador, Kosovo, Philippines and Paraguay.
Mexico on Sunday reported 131 more fatalities from COVID-19, raising the overall death toll since the pandemic began to 305,893.
In Africa, South Africa is no longer requiring those who test positive without symptoms to isolate and has reduced the isolation period for those with symptoms by three days, as the country exits its fourth COVID-19 wave.
-From The Associated Press, Reuters and CBC News, last updated at 5:30 p.m. ET
TORONTO – Will Taylor Swift bring chaos or do we all need to calm down?
It’s a question many Torontonians are asking this week as the city braces for the arrival of Swifties, the massive fan base of one of the world’s biggest pop stars.
Hundreds of thousands are expected to descend on the downtown core for the singer’s six concerts which kick off Thursday at the Rogers Centre and run until Nov. 23.
And while their arrival will be a boon to tourism dollars — the city estimates more than $282 million in economic impact — some worry it could worsen Toronto’s gridlock by clogging streets that already come to a standstill during rush hour.
Swift’s shows are set to collide with sports events at the nearby Scotiabank Arena, including a Raptors game on Friday and a Leafs game on Saturday.
Some residents and local businesses have already adjusted their plans to avoid the area and its planned road closures.
Aahil Dayani says he and some friends intended to throw a birthday bash for one of their pals until they realized it would overlap with the concerts.
“Something as simple as getting together and having dinner is now thrown out the window,” he said.
Dayani says the group rescheduled the gathering for after Swift leaves town. In the meantime, he plans to hunker down at his Toronto residence.
“Her coming into town has kind of changed up my social life,” he added.
“We’re pretty much just not doing anything.”
Max Sinclair, chief executive and founder of A.I. technology firm Ecomtent, suggested his employees avoid the company’s downtown offices on concert days, saying he doesn’t see the point in forcing people to endure potential traffic jams.
“It’s going to be less productive for us, and it’s going to be just a pain for everyone, so it’s easier to avoid it,” Sinclair said.
“We’re a hybrid company, so we can be flexible. It just makes sense.”
Swift’s concerts are the latest pop culture moment to draw attention to Toronto’s notoriously disastrous daily commute.
In June, One Direction singer Niall Horan uploaded a social media video of himself walking through traffic to reach the venue for his concert.
“Traffic’s too bad in Toronto, so we’re walking to the venue,” he wrote in the post.
Toronto Transit Commission spokesperson Stuart Green says the public agency has been working for more than a year on plans to ease the pressure of so many Swifties in one confined area.
“We are preparing for something that would be akin to maybe the Beatles coming in the ‘60s,” he said.
Dozens of buses and streetcars have been added to transit routes around the stadium, and the TTC has consulted the city on potential emergency scenarios.
Green will be part of a command centre operated by the City of Toronto and staffed by Toronto police leaders, emergency services and others who have handled massive gatherings including the Raptors’ NBA championship parade in 2019.
“There may be some who will say we’re over-preparing, and that’s fair,” Green said.
“But we know based on what’s happened in other places, better to be over-prepared than under-prepared.”
Metrolinx, the agency for Ontario’s GO Transit system, has also added extra trips and extended hours in some regions to accommodate fans looking to travel home.
A day before Swift’s first performance, the city began clearing out tents belonging to homeless people near the venue. The city said two people were offered space in a shelter.
“As the area around Rogers Centre is expected to receive a high volume of foot traffic in the coming days, this area has been prioritized for outreach work to ensure the safety of individuals in encampments, other residents, businesses and visitors — as is standard for large-scale events,” city spokesperson Russell Baker said in a statement.
Homeless advocate Diana Chan McNally questioned whether money and optics were behind the measure.
“People (in the area) are already in close proximity to concerts, sports games, and other events that generate massive amounts of traffic — that’s nothing new,” she said in a statement.
“If people were offered and willingly accepted a shelter space, free of coercion, I support that fully — that’s how it should happen.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 13, 2024.
TORONTO – Hundreds of Taylor Swift fans lined up outside the gates of Toronto’s Rogers Centre Wednesday, with hopes of snagging some of the pop star’s merchandise on the eve of the first of her six sold-out shows in the city.
Swift is slated to perform at the venue from Thursday to Saturday, and the following week from Nov. 21 to Nov. 23, with concert merchandise available for sale on some non-show days.
Swifties were all smiles as they left the merch shop, their arms full of sweaters and posters bearing pictures of the star and her Eras Tour logo.
Among them was Zoe Haronitis, 22, who said she waited in line for about two hours to get $300 worth of merchandise, including some apparel for her friends.
Haronitis endured the autumn cold and the hefty price tag even though she hasn’t secured a concert ticket. She said she’s hunting down a resale ticket and plans to spend up to $600.
“I haven’t really budgeted anything,” Haronitis said. “I don’t care how much money I spent. That was kind of my mindset.”
The megastar’s merchandise costs up to $115 for a sweater, and $30 for tote bags and other accessories.
Rachel Renwick, 28, also waited a couple of hours in line for merchandise, but only spent about $70 after learning that a coveted blue sweater and a crewneck had been snatched up by other eager fans before she got to the shop. She had been prepared to spend much more, she said.
“The two prized items sold out. I think a lot more damage would have been done,” Renwick said, adding she’s still determined to buy a sweater at a later date.
Renwick estimated she’s spent about $500 in total on “all-things Eras Tour,” including her concert outfit and merchandise.
The long queue for Swift merch is just a snapshot of what the city will see in the coming days. It’s estimated that up to 500,000 visitors from outside Toronto will be in town during the concert period.
Tens of thousands more are also expected to attend Taylgate’24, an unofficial Swiftie fan event scheduled to be held at the nearby Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
Meanwhile, Destination Toronto has said it anticipates the economic impact of the Eras Tour could grow to $282 million as the money continues to circulate.
But for fans like Haronitis, the experience in Toronto comes down to the Swiftie community. Knowing that Swift is going to be in the city for six shows and seeing hundreds gather just for merchandise is “awesome,” she said.
Even though Haronitis hasn’t officially bought her ticket yet, she said she’s excited to see the megastar.
“It’s literally incredible.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 13, 2024.
OTTAWA – Via Rail is asking for a judicial review on the reasons why Canadian National Railway Co. has imposed speed restrictions on its new passenger trains.
The Crown corporation says it is seeking the review from the Federal Court after many attempts at dialogue with the company did not yield valid reasoning for the change.
It says the restrictions imposed last month are causing daily delays on Via Rail’s Québec City-Windsor corridor, affecting thousands of passengers and damaging Via Rail’s reputation with travellers.
CN says in a statement that it imposed the restrictions at rail crossings given the industry’s experience and known risks associated with similar trains.
The company says Via has asked the courts to weigh in even though Via has agreed to buy the equipment needed to permanently fix the issues.
Via said in October that no incidents at level crossings have been reported in the two years since it put 16 Siemens Venture trains into operation.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 13, 2024.
