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Ford says Ontario to begin random COVID-19 testing Air Canada to check passenger temperatures Longo’s customers must wear masks

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4:14 pm Only four physical distancing tickets issued on Sunday: Tory

With temperatures rising above 20°C on Sunday for the first time since October, many Torontonians went outside to hang out, get fresh air and exercise.

Many people were hanging out parks, but Mayor John Tory said today that enforcement officers found the majority of people were physical distancing. Only four tickets were issued to physical distancing rule-breakers, he said. 


4:03 pm Toronto still hasn’t passed peak COVID-19 cases

The rate of COVID-19 infection is slowing down in Toronto thanks to physical distancing and self-isolation, but the city is still experiencing increases in new cases.

The city’s medical officer of health said today that Toronto has not yet passed peak cases, and it’s still too early to begin easing public health measures designed to curb spread.

“While we believe our local curve is flattening, we are not yet seeing a steady decrease in the number of new cases or new hospitalizations each day,” de Villa said during the city’s daily news conference. “This means that we have likely not completely passed the infection peak.”

Prior to Toronto implementing public health measures in mid-March, each person infected with the virus went on to infect 3.5 other people. Today, each person infects one other person on average, de Villa said.

In the early phase of the outbreak, the number of new cases doubled every four days. Today, the city is seeing the number of cases doubling every seven days.

De Villa said once Toronto begins seeing a “consistent decline,” public health measures can be eased.

As of 5 pm yesterday, Toronto Pubic Health reports there were 6,278 people infected with COVID-19 in Toronto, including 5,641 confirmed cases and 637 probable cases.

There were 387 people in hospital, including 105 people in intensive care. In total, 449 people have died.


1:33 pm Ontario to begin random COVID-19 testing: Ford

Ontario is starting to do random testing of the population for COVID-19 to establish a baseline infection rate, premier Doug Ford said today.

“It is being started,” the premier said in response to a question about random testing, adding that the strategy up to now has been to test vulnerable populations, including staff and residents of long-term care homes and congregate settings, travellers and frontline workers.

At today’s news conference, Ford said the province has beat its target of conducting 16,000 tests per day as of May 6. Today, public health officials reported there were 14,555 tests conducted since the previous day and on Sunday more than 17,000 tests were conducted over a single-day period.

Ford said he is calling on the federal government to work with premiers on a national plan for contact tracing.

To date, Ontario has conducted over 342,000 tests.


1:20 pm Ford hopes to have good news for cottage owners later this week

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said today “there’s only so long I can hold the big gates back” from people who want to start visiting their cottages.

During his daily news conference, Ford said he has a phone conference planned later this week with the mayors in cottage country, where the bulk of taxes are paid by people who own vacation homes. He said he’ll have more news later in the week.

“If people are responsible and the numbers continue to go down, we’ll have that conversation,” he said, adding that he hopes that the numbers will be low enough to advise people they are able to travel to cottages by the May long weekend.


11:51 am Harbourfront Centre cancels all outdoor summer events

Harbourfront Centre has cancelled all outdoor summer events based on public health recommendations.

In a statement, the waterfront arts organization said “live outdoor events will not be able to take place as planned” based on the Ontario government’s roadmap for safely reopening the province from lockdown measures.

“We are making this difficult decision out of an abundance of caution to protect the health and safety of our staff, the artists involved and our visitors,” said CEO Marah Braye. “We are disappointed, but health and safety will always be our top priority.”

The affected summer season runs from July 1 to Labour Day. Cancelled events include Canada Day celebrations, Summer Music in the Garden, Dancing on the Pier, Island Soul, Habari Africa, Barbados on the Water, TAIWANfest, Ashkenaz Festival, and concerts by Indigo Girls, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Lee “Scratch” Perry and Cœur de Pirate, among others.

Harbourfront Centre is planning to re-imagine its festivals and will partner with the City of Toronto to present virtual Canada Day celebrations on July 1.


11:30 am Air Canada introduces mandatory temperature checks for passengers

Air Canada is introducing mandatory pre-flight temperature checks as part of a new measures intended to curb the spread of COVID-19.

The airline’s passengers and staff are already required to wear face masks and personal protective equipment, respectively. Now, the airline is taking more precautions via its CleanCare+ program, which will include “non-invasive” infra-red temperature checks, health questionnaires, seat assignments that allow for more personal space in economy class (at least until June 30) and care kits for hand cleaning and hygiene.

According to a news release, customers deemed unfit to travel during the temperature check will be rebooked at no extra cost but must obtain a medical clearance to travel.

The airline is capping seats sold for each flight and blocking of seats so no passenger will be required to sit immediately adjacent to another “unless they are required to do so to assist another customer with whom they are traveling.  

The news comes as Air Canada reported a $1.05 billion net loss in its first quarter of this year compared the same quarter last year when it posted a profit of $345 million.


10:35 am Ontario reports 370 new COVID-19 cases, 84 deaths

The province’s downward trend in new COVID-19 cases continues, but 84 people have died since the previous report, public health officials reported on Monday.

Ontario has 370 new cases – an increase of 2.1 per cent – bringing the provincial total to 17,923. 

The number of deaths went up by 7.3 per cent since yesterday and 36 of the people reported dead in the past day were residents or patients in long-term care homes. In all, 1,300 people have died of COVID-19 in Ontario.

The number of resolved cases is 12,505 and the number of patients in hospital is 984, with 225 in intensive care and 175 in intensive care on ventilators.

There were 14,555 tests conducted since the previous report and 6,265 cases are under investigation.


9 am Ontario businesses start reopening as restrictions ease

Ontario’s lockdown measures will start to ease today as a select number of businesses are allowed to reopen with physical distancing protocols and other restrictions in place.

Lawn-care and landscaping services, garden centres and nurseries with curb-side pickup, community gardens, no-touch carwashes and auto dealers (by appointment only) will start up on Monday, May 4. Some non-essential construction projects will also begin again.

These businesses will have to follow safety guidelines such as cleaning and sanitization, physical distancing for staff and customers and installing barriers.

Marinas and golf courses can begin preparations to reopen later on.


9 am Longo’s customers must wear masks starting May 4

Customers at grocery store Longo’s are now required to wear face masks. The policy takes effect on May 4, the company said in a statement.

“Guests are required to wear a mask or face covering while in the store,” an update on the Longo’s website reads. “Please bring one with you to keep everyone safe. If you have forgotten your face covering or need a mask, please speak with a Team Member at the store entrance.”

Employees are already required to wear masks. Masks are available for in stores.

Since the COVID-19 outbreak began, a Longo’s store in Vaughn has shut down twice after employees tested positive for the virus.


9 am Canada has over 59,000 cases of COVID-19

There are 59,474 cases of COVID-19 in Canada and 3,682 people have died.

The outbreak is a serious public health threat though most people who contract the virus have not been hospitalized. 

Symptoms include cough, fever, difficulty breathing and pneumonia in both lungs and may take up to 14 days to appear after exposure. People age 65 and over and people with compromised immune systems and/or underlying medical conditions have a higher risk of contracting a severe case.

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