Quebec, Ontario & P.E.I. Introduce New COVID-19 Restrictions

In a late call on Tuesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau consulted the Premiers on additional border and travel measures to slow the spread of the new omicron COVID-19 variant.

In a readout of the call, the Prime Minister’s office said the leaders noted the potential for a rapid and strong resurgence of COVID-19 cases in Canada that could put a strain on health-care systems.

The readout also says that Trudeau and the Premiers agreed that the key to moving beyond the pandemic is to get as many Canadians as possible, including children, vaccinated and in line for booster shots.

The announcement was shortly followed by swift action from provinces.

P.E.I.’s Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Heather Morrison, said starting on Friday, people arriving on the Island will be required to isolate until they receive the results of a negative COVID-19 test. New restrictions on private indoor gatherings will also come into effect, limiting the number of people to 20.

In Ontario, COVID-19 testing in long-term care homes is being increased, with new restrictions on visitors and resident activities. Booster shots have also been fast-tracked for any resident over the age of 18.

Quebec is now asking employers to favour working from home as COVID-19 case numbers remain high. The province is also looking to increase the pace of booster shots and make rapid COVID-19 tests available for all residents.

Despite nearly two years of masking in public places, social distancing, lockdowns, vaccine passports and mandatory vaccines for employees, we are still facing restrictions because of COVID-19. And what is our government’s response? Carry on implementing the exact same measures that have not worked for the past two years. The question now is: how long will it be before our next lockdown?

(Photo credit: MIT News)