'It’s as simple as that': Your Ontario COVID-19 roundup

Ontario saw another day with fewer than 200 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, and 11 new deaths.

The number of COVID-19 patients in hospitals fell to 413 and, of those, the number in intensive care fell to 98, with 70 people on ventilators.

In remarks at his daily press conference, Premier Doug Ford focused on the reopening of the economy and announced the government has released a new guide with information for businesses about reopening safely.

"It's up to everyone to support our local businesses during these difficult times," said Ford. "So let's take pride in our incredible Ontario small businesses and manufacturers. Let support local, buy Ontario, because we have the best of the best right here in Ontario. So let's all shop local. With summer, plan your vacation at one of our incredible Ontario destinations and together we will support each other through this. My friends, we're all in this together."

However, Ontario is still struggling to contain outbreaks, particularly among migrant farm workers. The Globe and Mail has identified more than 600 cases among migrant workers, some of whom live in cramped bunkhouses that don't allow for infection control, and Mexico has stopped sending workers to Canada.

Ford said public health units are working hard to get workers tested and he understands that some are nervous about it, because being sick could result in not being paid, but said the province cannot force people to be tested.

Labour Minister Monte McNaughton said the province has been inspecting working conditions at the farms.

"That's why in April, specifically, on the agricultural issue in the industry, we launched a blitz, and I'm proud to report today we've inspected 200 farms and agricultural places of work, and have issued 60 orders to improve health and safety conditions for workers in the agricultural sector in the province."

Civil immunity 

British Columbia issued an order giving legal immunity to essential service providers from claims in negligence related to the spread of COVID-19, if those service providers were taking precautions in line with public health guidance. Ford, asked about that at his press conference, said it is something his cabinet will consider.

Ford urges masks

Ford was asked about making mask-wearing mandatory in some settings, sparked in part by news of an outbreak at a Home Depot in Richmond Hill.

He said his government wouldn't make it mandatory, but supported retailers who have instituted masking policies.

"I highly, highly recommend, when you go out, wear a face mask of some sort. It’s as simple as that," he said. "You're going into a store, wear a face mask of some sort. I know two big retailers are asking people to wear them, or you aren’t getting into the store — so I think that's a good policy."

He gave a similar answer when asked about Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti calling for it to be mandatory for people to wear masks.

"I think it's critical that you do that, but to police 14.5 million people would be very, very difficult — we just don't have the manpower for bylaw and police officers to be chasing people without masks," said Ford.

 Opposition call for committees to resume

The NDP chairs of three legislative committees that hold the government to account have called on the house leader to allow them to resume their work.

The MPPs wrote that the government has used its majority to "selectively allow" some committees to move forward with government bills, but has not allowed the committees that scrutinize government spending, auditor general reports and public appointments to resume.

"Now, more than ever, the public needs to have confidence in the actions of its Government," wrote MPPs Catherine Fife, Peter Tabuns and John Vanthof. "It’s time to do your part to ensure that we are able to what Ontarians expect of us all to make sure the necessary accountability is in place."

Environmental bill of rights

The Ford government has restored the environmental protections it suspended during the pandemic. Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner said he's pleased with the government's move to reinstate the Environmental Bill of Rights and has asked the government to provide a list of all environmental decisions made when it was suspended.