COVID-19 Update for April 23, 2020 – 2:00pm
Action Plan for Vulnerable Populations
Announcing new measures to protect the vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic, Premier Doug Ford briefly choked up as he described the impact on his own family as they deal with the crisis in long-term care facilities.
Children, Community and Social Services Todd Smith provided details on the province’s “COVID-19 Action Plan for Vulnerable Populations,” which builds on previous efforts to protect congregated residential settings. In addition to long-term care facilities, Smith cited homes that serve those with developmental disabilities, shelters for survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking, homeless shelters, children and youth residential centres, and Indigenous communities.
Enhanced measures that will be implemented in the coming days include:
- Increased screening of visitors, staff and residents.
- Mandating masks in high-risk settings.
- Providing additional personal protective equipment and training to use it.
- Limiting staff to one employer in certain high-risk settings.
- More training and education on how to address an outbreak.
- Maintaining staffing levels and managing staff shortages.
Ford reiterated his commitment to enhancing both contact tracing and widespread testing at 14,000 tests a days. “I’m very proud of our health table,” he said. “We will work around the clock to test as many people as possible especially in the high priority areas.”
We hope you are finding these COVID-19 updates useful. In addition to trying to keep on top of the fast-changing situation, Enterprise is also working to support local charities during these challenging times. If you are able, your contributions to this effort would be deeply appreciated.
To donate, please click on the organization below:
- Toronto – Food Banks Canada
- Thunder Bay – Food Banks North West
- Hamilton/Niagara – Hamilton Food Share
- Alberta – Hope Mission
Many thanks.
Stay safe. Stay healthy.
The Enterprise Team