Health Minister @celliottability is at a Shopper's Drug Mart in Toronto this morning to promote the annual Flu Shot. This month, shots are available for seniors, small children and pregnant women. Available for everyone next month, she says. #onpoli Elliott says NACI has recommended the flu shot be given at the same time as the COVID vaccine. Says it's "even more important" to get the flu shot this year. #onpoli

Ontario’s Speech From the Throne has begun. Lieutenant Governor @LGLizDowdeswell is delivering a speech heavily focused on COVID-19 and recovery. “The ultimate goal, shared by all, is avoiding future lockdowns,” the speech reads. #onpoli The speech highlights vaccine certificates, as well as newly-announced mandatory vaccines for long-term care. Speech says Ontario must remain vigilant and “cannot go backwards.”

“After 18 months of fighting this pandemic, we owe our businesses stability and certainty.” #onpoli

NEW: Official guidance from Ontario for those who got AstraZeneca - As of tomorrow, Ontarians who received a first dose of AstraZeneca can choose to receive a second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, or an mRNA (Pfizer or Moderna) vaccine for their second dose. #onpoli Second doses will be provided “at the recommended 12-week interval.” People who got AZ and want 2nd shot of AZ can book through pharmacy/doctor. Can also book Pfizer/Moderna at pharmacy.

Starting June 7, people can also register for 2nd dose of mRNA on provincial booking site.

Premier Ford said he's awaiting guidance from Dr. Williams on whether Ontario can open up sooner than June 14.
He did not take Dr. Williams' guidance on schools re-opening, though. #onpoli "Indoors bad, outdoors good," the Premier summarizes, when asked why kids aren't going back. #onpoli

Premier Ford says it's "no secret" some experts said schools should return to school on a regional basis; but they couldn't say whether returning to school would lead to thousands of cases. "Schools will not be returning to in-class learning until the fall." #onpoli "I will not take unnecessary risks with our children right now," Premier Ford says, adding he is concerned about variants. Need more kids/teachers vaccinated, and outdoor activities are safer. #onpoli

#BREAKING: Ontario is proceeding with second doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, beginning with those who received their first dose between March 10 and March 19 #onpoli During the week of May 24, people who received their first dose of AstraZeneca between March 10 to March 19 may opt for an earlier dose interval of 10 weeks with “informed consent.” #onpoli

#BREAKING: Here is Ontario’s “roadmap to reopening,” in 3 steps, with the first estimated to begin June 14. As of Saturday May 22 at 12:01 am, Ontario is reopening outdoor amenities like golf, soccer, tennis, skate parks & basketball, and allowing outdoor gatherings of 5 #onpoli There will be at *least* 21 days between steps, meaning Step 2 will begin in July and Step 3 could begin late July/early August #onpoli

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

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. #onpoli news.ontario.ca/en/release/100…

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

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

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

#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

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.

Toronto Mayor @JohnTory on the city’s mass vaccine sites: “They’ve been miraculously successful....for the people who have come.” Says city is looking at going out to workplaces directly to reach more people. #onpoli Tory: a discussion of a stay at home order “is warranted”, also further capacity limits on businesses, particularly larger ones. Says it’s up to province. #onpoli

MPP @solmamakwa says Premier @fordnation called him before 3pm today and "apologized for attacking me personally during Question period yesterday."
Says he appreciated the call but, "It's not me he needs to apologize to but it's indigenous people across Ontario." #onpoli Mamakwa says the call lasted about 90 seconds, says the Premier told him he felt Mamakwa was "going after him" by asking about the government's plan for vaccinating urban indigenous adults. Says Premier Ford invited him to his office when the House resumes. #onpoli

NEW: PC Government House leader @PaulCalandra is out talking about the province's vaccine plan, saying federal supply is "unreliable." Says Ont. is only doing 40K shots but has capacity to do 150K. "The issue we face is uncertainty around supply." #onpoli "The federal government needs to step up...compared to other countries we are far behind....here in Canada we must do better."
"It is time for Ottawa to deliver." #onpoli

#BREAKING: Peel Public Health is ordering Amazon Canada to close all shifts at its Brampton facility and have workers self-isolate for 14 days starting 12:01 am tomorrow #onpoli "The current public health investigation has determined that high-risk exposure to COVID-19 for everyone working at Amazon Heritage cannot be ruled out...the rate of COVID-19 across Peel has been decreasing while the rate inside this facility has been increasing significantly."

#BREAKING: Ontario's budget will be released on Wednesday March 24, Finance Minister @PBethlenfalvy announces #onpoli Vaccinating everyone is going to be priority 1 in the budget, @PBethlenfalvy says. "Without healthy people, you can't have a healthy economy."

NEW: Tourism Minister @MacLeodLisa announces "Tourism Economic Recovery Ministerial Task Force," chaired by frmr PC leader Tim Hudak to "give expert advice and recommendations on how to help the province's $36-billion tourism industry recover from the COVID-19 pandemic." #onpoli The task force will deliver a report with recommendations to the minister this spring, according to a release #onpoli

NEW: Ontario now expects all adults 60+ in the province will get their first vaccine shots by end of May/early June - if not sooner #onpoli The province unveiled details of its "phase 2" vaccination plans, which includes people with high-risk health conditions such as organ transplant recipients; kidney disease; people undergoing chemotherapy and those with intellectual or developmental disabilities #onpoli