It has been a frantic Friday for COVID-19 planning in Canada. The CBC podcast here with the prime minister contains a suggestion that the government may be close to shutting the border to contain the spread of the epidemic. The Conservative opposition has called for it. While that was happening, the Bank of Canada announced a surprise cut in its base rate. Other good news included a partial bounce back on the Toronto and New York stock markets.
Toronto to shut down all programs til early April
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa has announced the suspension of all City programs and closure of facilities until April 5. They are:
• City-operated March Break camps are cancelled
• All licensed child care centres
• Community and recreation centres, greenhouses and conservatories, arenas, pools, fitness centres, and ski hills are closed
• Libraries are closed
• City-operated museums and galleries are closed
• Council and Committee meetings are suspended for the current meeting cycle
• Public consultations are suspended
• All event permits for City facilities, including civic centres, recreation facilities, and parks are cancelled (wedding ceremony permits for civic centre Wedding Chambers will be honoured)
Merchants, suppliers say stop worrying about toilet paper
As posted previously, there were controlled panic purchases of such things like toilet paper and paper towels. Unlike Venezuela, Canada can and will continue to make, deliver and market paper products in abundance. Richard Southern touches on this aspect of the economy here.
