Starting the 5th of January, students will return to virtual learning and Ontario will return to a modified Phase Two of its reopening plan, with the closure of indoor restaurants, gyms, theaters and with lower capacity limits in other settings. The high to the roadmap was announced today by Prime Minister Doug Ford in response to the Omicron variant that in recent weeks has been causing a record number of cases. 

“As you know, like other provinces and countries around the world, the number of Omicron infections is increasing exponentially throughout Ontario. In the coming days and weeks we will face a tsunami of new cases. And as we do that, pretty much everyone in our province will know someone who has been exposed to this virus,” Ford said.

In the meantime, students after the Christmas holidays will not return to class on 5th as announced a few days ago but will switch to distance learning at least until January 17th. “I know this is not the news that everyone wants to hear, but with the new variant the situation changes every single day. The level of absenteeism we are seeing in other sectors tells us with absolute certainty that making schools work, ensuring that teachers are at work and do not miss their homes will be a challenge that we cannot overcome in the short term,” he said.

The government says schools, however, will be open to ensure, for example, in-person education for students with special educational needs and for staff who are unable to take classes from home.

In addition, the government says that during this period, free childcare will be provided to school-age children of health workers and other frontline workers.

Phase two measures that will come into effect on 5th include the closure of indoor restaurants, gyms, theaters, the limitation of indoor social gatherings to five people and outdoor meetings to 10 and the 50% capacity limit for weddings, funerals, religious services and outlets.

Outdoor meals with restrictions, takeaway, home delivery and drive through will still be allowed. Capacity limits for personal care services, including beauty salons and nail care salons, will also be reduced to 50%.

From 5th, the closure of indoor sports and recreational facilities and gyms will also come into force, with the exception of athletes who train for the Olympics and Paralympics and some elite professional and amateur sports championships. Outdoor facilities can remain operational but may not exceed 50% of capacity.

The government says the measures will remain in place for at least 21 days until January 26, unless due to the evolution of the situation and after consulting the Chief Medical Officer of Health of the Moore province, they are not modified.

Ford has made it clear that the closures are necessary to avoid further pressures on the health system that occurred during the third wave of the pandemic. “But let’s be clear, these closures will be targeted and will be limited in time. The immediate goal of these measures will be to contain the latest wave so that we can ease the pressure on our hospitals and allow more time to deliver these important booster doses,” Ford said. But with the new variant, the scenario changes every day.”

To further support the healthcare system, starting the day after tomorrow hospitals must suspend all surgeries and non-urgent procedures in order to preserve critical care and human resources. “I know everyone is tired, especially after a difficult festive period. But based on the data, the emerging evidence on Omicron and what our hospital partners are experiencing in the field, these additional time-limited measures are needed to preserve our hospital capacity as we accelerate the delivery of the booster dose,” said Health Minister Christine Elliott.

Ford acknowledged that many residents will be dismayed by the stricter restrictions announced but reiterated how necessary they are to combat the Omicron strain. “These decisions will undoubtedly disappoint people. They will annoy some people and make others angry. I understand all these reactions. As prime minister, these are the hardest decisions I’ll make, but we’re following the data. And the reality is this, Omicron is spreading like wildfire.”