NEW: The @OntarioCofC announces new rapid testing program - 760,000 rapid tests rolling out to businesses in the province. Tests will be distributed through local chambers and boards of trade, and businesses with fewer than 150 employees can participate #onpoli
And here is the official announcement on rapid tests for businesses from Ontario - note this is a fed/prov initiative. #onpolinews.ontario.ca/en/release/100…
Here are the participating chambers of commerce and the ones to come...#onpoli
Status of rapid tests in Ont so far: “As of April 30, about 7.6 million rapid antigen tests had been sent through the program to nearly 1,500 workplaces. This includes nearly 200 essential industry sites, most of them in hot spot areas.” #onpoli
Just announced by Prime Minister Trudeau: small and medium-sized businesses and organizations can now get rapid tests at over 40 Shoppers Drug Mart locations, which are mostly in hotspots. Feds cover cost with small admin fee charged to biz, @CFIB says #onpoli
CFIB: "Small businesses have been clear: they want to see governments apply more creative solutions to control the spread of COVID-19, while allowing them to remain open safely, including the use of rapid testing." #onpoli
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
Responding to Premier Ford's new attack ads on border, and the Liberals fundraising off of it, PM Trudeau says his focus is on supporting Canadians. "Ontarians are going through an extremely difficult time right now," Trudeau says #onpoli
NEW: PM Trudeau on attack ads: "I recognize...leaders are under a certain amount of stress right now, and some will choose to point fingers and lay blame, and even engage in personal attacks...that's not what Ontarians need." #onpoli
PM Trudeau says he offered to Premier Ford in call last week to look at list of exceptions and "further restrict" those at borders, including limiting international students - he says proportionally it's a v small number coming in. "There is more we can do." #onpoli
NEW: Peel region is opening up vaccines to ALL residents 18+, not just in hotspots, starting tomorrow at 8 am. Those who aren't in hotspots - most in Mississauga and Caledon - will be able to book through Peel's booking system. #onpoli
Peel is launching a booking site for non-hot spots in the region. Those in hotspots will still go through the provincial site. #onpoli
And here’s the info for this IN hotspots. Still go through province’s site. #onpoli
NEW: Ontario now estimates that 65% of those 18+ will be offered first vaccine dose by end of May. The province will also start giving Moderna in up to 60 pharmacies in hotspots of Durham, Hamilton, Ottawa, Windsor and York likely by this weekend #onpoli
The province is not doing what Alberta just announced and opening up bookings to everyone 12 and over, officials say they are reviewing & assessing supply. #onpoli
People in 1st group of those who can't work from home eligible as of Thursday:
-teachers/school staff (incl. bus drivers/admin)
-bylaw officers/inspectors
-licensed childcare/foster care workers
-food manufacturing, agriculture & farm workers
-funeral/cemetery workers #onpoli
Premier Ford is out of isolation and in Question Period today. The first question from the NDP to him is about the LTC commission report. #onpoli
He is asked about removing LTC minister. He says he wants to acknowledge the families who lost loved ones during the pandemic. "It was a tragedy," he says, adding that no government has gotten this right, name-dropping Bob Rae, Mike Harris, McGuinty and Wynne #onpoli
"I have full confidence in my minister," Premier Ford says about LTC Minister @DrFullertonMPP. "She's dedicated her life to protecting the most vulnerable."
#BREAKING: Ontario is declaring a third state of emergency and issuing a province-wide stay-at-home order, while expanding vaccine eligibility for special education teachers/all education workers and essential workers in Toronto and Peel Region #onpoli
Educations workers in high-risk neighbourhoods in Peel/TO will be eligible for vaccines starting during next week's April break & for essential workers in those neighbourhoods 18+ #onpoli
Ford says he thinks 40% of adults will have one dose by end of 4-week stay-at-home order #onpoli
Premier Ford is asked: why aren't you getting to essential workers such as teachers earlier than mid May? Premier Ford says province needs to get to most vulnerable/elderly people first & hotspots. And then mentions factories, although these aren't specifically targeted #onpoli
Ford says Ontario made "massive move" last week by "basically shutting down entire province" - (as he mentioned, malls are open.) Then dangles further restrictions.
Premier is now admonishing people for going to the mall his government kept open. #onpoli