Ottawa’s transit commission will consider a report detailing OC Transpo’s plan to deal with increased ridership as the economy slowly reopens but while COVID-19 remains a threat.
Meanwhile, the LRT is in the midst of a four-day shutdown for testing and maintenance that will wrap up Wednesday.
Dentists, physiotherapists, massage therapists and other private health-care services outside the greater Montreal area and Joliette region of Quebec can reopen today.
Backcountry camping at Ontario parks and recreational camping on Crown lands can resume today.
All lockstations along the Rideau Canal except for Jones Falls and Kingston Mills will reopen today. Visitors can access lockstation grounds, boat launches and mooring areas, and make use of day-use areas and trails. Public washrooms will be accessible.
A customer tries to keep a grasp on their purchases as they wait to pick up an order at a vendor at the Ottawa Farmers’ Market at Lansdowne Park, which opened only for online order pickups due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in Ottawa, on Sunday, May 31, 2020. (Justin Tang/Canadian Press)
How many cases are there?
There have been 1,951 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ottawa and 244 deaths linked to the respiratory illness. There are more than 3,100 known cases across eastern Ontario and western Quebec.
Nearly 2,400 people in the region have recovered from COVID-19.
The deaths of 50 people in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark counties and 35 more in the wider region have also been tied to the coronavirus.
Confirmed cases are just a snapshot because, until recently, not everyone could be tested in Ontario. Also, not everyone with COVID-19 will go to get tested (potentially because they are asymptomatic) and results take time to process.
What’s open and closed?
Ontario is in “stage one” of its three-stage reopening plan. When ready,its next stage should bring more offices, outdoor spaces and gatherings back.
On May 31, the farmers market at Lansdowne Park reopened for pre-ordering and pickup-by-appointment. Drive-in movie theatres and batting cages are allowed to reopen in Ontario as May 31, as well.
So cannational parks and historic sites across Canada, which includes Rideau Canal lockstations. Backcountry camping at Ontario Parks sites and recreational camping on Crown lands in Ontario are also allowed.
Circles are painted on the grass in one section of Mooney’s Bay Park in Ottawa, to encourage people to maintain physical distancing, on Sunday, May 31, 2020. (Justin Tang/Canadian Press)
A person holds a sign at before the start of a vigil for Regis Korchinski-Paquet of Toronto, who died on Wednesday after falling from her apartment balcony while police were in the home, at Dundonald Park in Ottawa, on Sunday, May 31, 2020. (Justin Tang/Canadian Press)
Distancing and isolating
The coronavirus primarily spreads through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. People don’t need to have symptoms to be contagious.
That means physical distancing measures such as working from home and staying at least two metres away from anyone they don’t live with.
WATCH: How to buy or sell a home during the pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed what happens when you buy or sell a house. Andrew Chang walks through what’s changed in the real estate game. 1:48
Anyone who has symptoms or travelled recently outside Canada must self-isolate for at least 14 days.
Specifically in Ottawa, anyone waiting for a COVID-19 test result must self-isolate at least until they know the result.
The same goes for anyone in Ontario who’s been in contact with someone who’s tested positive or is presumed to have COVID-19.
People 70 and older or with compromised immune systems or underlying health conditions should also self-isolate.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
COVID-19 can range from a cold-like illness to a severe lung infection, with common symptoms including fever, a dry cough, vomiting and the loss of taste or smell.
Less common symptoms include chills, headaches and pink eye. The Ontario government says in rare cases, children can develop a rash.
If you have severe symptoms, call 911.
A customer is alone as they walk their bike to pick up an order at the Ottawa Farmers’ Market at Lansdowne Park, which opened for online order pickups only due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in Ottawa, on Sunday, May 31, 2020. (Justin Tang/Canadian Press)
Tests are done at the Brewer Arena from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., seven days a week, or at 595 Moodie Dr. and 1485 Heron Rd. those same hours on weekdays.
There is a drive-thru test centre in Casselman and assessment centres in Hawkesbury and Winchester that don’t require people to call ahead and others in Rockland, and Cornwall that require an appointment.
WATCH: Makeshift home offices taking physical toll
Many people working in makeshift offices at home and sitting in awkward positions could face an increased risk of injuries, including neck and back problems, experts say. 2:01
Napanee‘s test centre is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily for people who call for an appointment.
TheLeeds, Grenville and Lanark unit asks you to get tested if you have a symptom or concerns about exposure.
It has a walk-in site in Brockville open seven days a week at the Memorial Centre and testing sites in Smiths Falls and Almonte which require an appointment.
The public health unit in the Belleville area is asking people to call it at 613-966-5500, their family doctor or Telehealth if they have symptoms or questions.
Renfrew County is also providing home testing under some circumstances. Residents without access to a family doctor can call 1-844-727-6404 if they have health questions, COVID-19-related or not.
If you’re concerned about the coronavirus, take the self-assessment.
WATCH: Calls for improved staffing, training, pay at nursing homes
The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed how badly Ontario’s long-term care system needs an overhaul, with a growing number of workers, experts and families calling for changes in everything from staffing levels to better pay and training. 1:49
Local communities have declared states of emergency, put in a curfew or both.
Akwesasne has opened a mobile COVID-19 test site available by appointment only. Anyone returning to Akwesasne who’s been farther than 80 kilometres away is asked to self-isolate for 14 days.
Anyone in Tyendinaga who has symptoms can call 613-967-3603 to talk to a nurse.
Pikwakanagan‘s council planned to let businesses reopen as of May 29. Kitigan Zibi is keeping schools closed through the summer.
TORONTO – Cineplex Inc. reported a loss in its latest quarter compared with a profit a year ago as it was hit by a fine for deceptive marketing practices imposed by the Competition Tribunal.
The movie theatre company says it lost $24.7 million or 39 cents per diluted share for the quarter ended Sept. 30 compared with a profit of $29.7 million or 40 cents per diluted share a year earlier.
The results in the most recent quarter included a $39.2-million provision related to the Competition Tribunal decision, which Cineplex is appealing.
The Competition Bureau accused the company of misleading theatregoers by not immediately presenting them with the full price of a movie ticket when they purchased seats online, a view the company has rejected.
Revenue for the quarter totalled $395.6 million, down from $414.5 million in the same quarter last year, while theatre attendance totalled 13.3 million for the quarter compared with nearly 15.7 million a year earlier.
Box office revenue per patron in the quarter climbed to $13.19 compared with $12 in the same quarter last year, while concession revenue per patron amounted to $9.85, up from $8.44 a year ago.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 6, 2024.
TORONTO – Restaurant Brands International Inc. reported net income of US$357 million for its third quarter, down from US$364 million in the same quarter last year.
The company, which keeps its books in U.S. dollars, says its profit amounted to 79 cents US per diluted share for the quarter ended Sept. 30 compared with 79 cents US per diluted share a year earlier.
Revenue for the parent company of Tim Hortons, Burger King, Popeyes and Firehouse Subs, totalled US$2.29 billion, up from US$1.84 billion in the same quarter last year.
Consolidated comparable sales were up 0.3 per cent.
On an adjusted basis, Restaurant Brands says it earned 93 cents US per diluted share in its latest quarter, up from an adjusted profit of 90 cents US per diluted share a year earlier.
The average analyst estimate had been for a profit of 95 cents US per share, according to LSEG Data & Analytics.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 5, 2024.
ST. JOHN’S, N.L. – Fortis Inc. reported a third-quarter profit of $420 million, up from $394 million in the same quarter last year.
The electric and gas utility says the profit amounted to 85 cents per share for the quarter ended Sept. 30, up from 81 cents per share a year earlier.
Fortis says the increase was driven by rate base growth across its utilities, and strong earnings in Arizona largely reflecting new customer rates at Tucson Electric Power.
Revenue in the quarter totalled $2.77 billion, up from $2.72 billion in the same quarter last year.
On an adjusted basis, Fortis says it earned 85 cents per share in its latest quarter, up from an adjusted profit of 84 cents per share in the third quarter of 2023.
The average analyst estimate had been for a profit of 82 cents per share, according to LSEG Data & Analytics.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 5, 2024.
