THUNDER BAY – Ontario is headed for a Christmas Eve lockdown in the face of rising COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, multiple news outlets reported Sunday.
Doug Ford’s provincial government is expected to announce that all regions of the province will be placed in the grey-lockdown stage of Ontario’s COVID-19 response framework as of Dec. 24, according to a report from Global News Sunday afternoon that cited sources briefed on the plans.
The lockdown is expected to involve weeks of at-home learning for elementary and high school students following the holiday breaks, Global reported.
A move to grey would also see most non-essential businesses closed, and indoor dining prohibited.
While government sources expected the lockdown to last up to 28 days in most of the province, that period could be shortened to two weeks in the north, Global reported.
The news has not been confirmed by the provincial government. Ford is expected to make an announcement at 1 p.m. on Monday.
Mayor Bill Mauro said Sunday a temporary lockdown could be justified, even while local COVID-19 indicators fall short of those specified in provincial guidelines.
