On May 25, 2020, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction Prabmeet Sarkaria provided an update on volunteerism within the province during the COVID-19 pandemic. Premier Ford and Associate Minister Sarkaria were joined by Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Christine Elliott and Minister of Long-Term Care, Dr. Merrilee Fullerton.

Following this afternoon’s announcement, Premier Ford and Minister Elliott responded to questions from media regarding Ontario’s testing strategy, growing case numbers, and continued plans for reopening.

Earlier today, the Government of Ontario announced that local hospitals will temporarily assume the management of two long-term care homes in order to contain COVID-19 outbreaks.

Further Details

Volunteerism During COVID-19

This afternoon, Premier Doug Ford and Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction, Prabmeet Sarkaria, provided an update on volunteerism within the province during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On April 9, 2020, the government announced a $100,000 investment in its partnership with SPARK Ontario, a volunteer hub which connects volunteers with community organizations that support vulnerable Ontarians. Since this announcement:

  • Over 54,000 users have visited the SPARK Ontario website to learn how they can volunteer;
  • Over 3,500 Ontarians have signed up on the site to volunteer, and over 3,100 have contacted community organizations regarding a volunteer opportunity;
  • 141 community organizations have registered for volunteer matching and more than 100 COVID-19 related volunteer opportunities have been posted online.

Questions from Media – Testing Strategy, Case Numbers, and Plans for Reopening

Following this afternoon’s announcement, Premier Ford and Minister Elliott responded to questions from media regarding Ontario’s testing strategy, growing case numbers, and continued plans for reopening.

Over the past several days, Ontario has experienced a higher rate of new COVID-19 cases, with five consecutive days of more than 400 new cases being reported as of today. In response to questions about why this growth in case numbers is occurring, Minister Elliott explained that the cases are likely tied to visits with families over the Mother’s Day weekend. Minister Elliott added that case numbers later this week will provide early indications of how stage one of reopening Ontario’s economy has affected the spread of COVID-19.

When asked about the new details of Ontario’s testing strategy, Premier Ford encouraged anyone with symptoms, or worried that they have contracted COVID-19 from a large gathering or contact with a possible case, to get tested for the virus. The next steps in Ontario’s testing strategy will be unveiled soon and will focus on encouraging those in “hotspots” to be tested. These hotspots include certain postal codes with a high number of cases, as well as large workplaces and continued testing in long-term care and congregate settings.

Premier Ford was asked whether he would consider reinstating restrictions in Ontario after large groups were observed gathering in some parks such as Trinity Bellwoods in Toronto over the weekend. While Premier Ford expressed his disappointment for those who attended large gatherings over the weekend and recommended these individuals be tested for COVID-19, he was clear that he would not punish the entire province as a result of the actions of a small minority. Premier Ford also reiterated his opposition to a regional approach to reopening, despite many COVID-19 cases being reported in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

In response to questions about expanding allowable group sizes, Minister Elliott assured reporters that discussions on this had taken place at the COVID-19 Command Table. An announcement on expanding gathering sizes has been pushed back due to the recent growth in case numbers and large gatherings observed over the weekend. Case numbers need to decline before this restriction can be relaxed.

When asked about current temporary provisions on alcohol delivery from restaurants and cannabis delivery from private retail and whether they would be made permanent, the Premier and Minister Sarkaria noted that discussions are taking place on this. Minister Sarkaria encouraged anyone with ideas to reduce regulatory reduction to visit the province’s “Tackling the Barriers” portal.

Hospitals Assume Management of Two Long-Term Care Homes

Earlier today, the Government of Ontario announced that local hospitals will temporarily assume the management of two long-term care homes to contain COVID-19 outbreaks.

Southlake Regional Health Centre will temporarily manage River Glen Haven Nursing Home in Sutton and Humber River Hospital will temporarily manage Downsview Long Term Care in North York. The orders are in effect for 90 days but may be extended if necessary.

An emergency order made on May 12, 2020 allows the Ministry of Long-Term Care to order alternative management to temporarily manage a long-term care home with an outbreak of COVID-19.