NATIONAL REPORT — A sense that an end is in sight is beginning to prevail with Canadians. Nevertheless, plans to reopen remain slow and measured, varying from region to region.
Newfoundland and Labrador’s government announced that more businesses, including garden centres, were permitted to reopen last week, as long as epidemiological numbers hold. Parks and golf courses will be able to open, while the province will begin issuing hunting and fishing licenses.
In Nova Scotia, which relies on U.S. tourism for local economies, Nova Scotia business minister Geoff MacLellan is considering how or when to reopen the international border. In New Brunswick, which has logged seven days without new cases of COVID-19, provincial parks are set to reopen. Daycare centres will be allowed to reopen on May 19.
With the Montreal area still struggling to “flatten the curve”, the Quebec government has postponed the reopening of businesses and schools in the region a second time. Premier François Legault announced a revised date of May 25 for the opening.
Ontario’s government has announced the timeline for its first phase of economic reopening, which will include “lifting essential workplace limits on construction” and permitting retail stores outside malls to operate, with physical distancing measures, starting May 19. Outdoor recreational activities, including some parks, and many sporting events, should be able to proceed starting Tuesday. Golf courses, marinas and private parks will be allowed to open earlier, starting Saturday, ahead of the Victoria Day Weekend.
Manitoba and Saskatchewan begin their respective first phases of reopening today. In Manitoba, retail stores may admit customers at customers to half-capacity. In Saskatchewan, the state of emergency has been extended until May 19. After that time, non-essential retailers will be allowed to reopen.
In Alberta, retailers were allowed to reopen as of yesterday, as long as they followed health and safety requirements for physical distancing and customer control.
The Bay intends to reopen its stores in British Columbia on May 19. The stores have been closed since March 18. Most of the province’s parks reopened yesterday, but for day use only.
And nationally, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to announce today an extension of the 75 percent wage subsidy program. It was initially to run until June 6.
