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Coping with COVID-19: Reflecting on Ontario’s Lockdown Journey
Five years have passed since Ontario experienced its inaugural COVID-19 lockdown. The initial days leading up to March 17, 2020, saw the province officially declare a state of emergency, but in reality, businesses and government entities were already enacting restrictions well before this formal announcement.
The primary objective of these measures was to curb the rapid spread of the virus. As time went on, these restrictions were gradually eased, only to be reinstated at various points in the months that followed.
During this period, life in Ontario transformed dramatically. Streets that once bustled with activity became eerily silent, as the province braced itself to manage the unfolding crisis.
On January 25, 2020, Ontario reported its first presumptive case of COVID-19. A man in his 50s, having returned from Wuhan, China, experienced mild symptoms and subsequently sought help from emergency services, leading to his isolation at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto.
His case marked the beginning of a challenging journey for the province. Just a day later, his wife became the second confirmed case, entering self-isolation shortly thereafter. The confirmation of the man’s illness came just two days later.
As time advanced, the number of cases rose sharply. A significant turning point occurred on March 11, 2020, when a 77-year-old man from Barrie tragically became the first individual in Ontario to succumb to the virus. The same day, the World Health Organization characterized COVID-19 as a global pandemic, triggering a cascade of policies that would drastically alter life across Canada. This included the closure of borders, schools, and businesses, as well as the prohibition of social gatherings.
On March 12, Premier Doug Ford announced the closure of schools across Ontario for a two-week period following March break. However, this precaution evolved into an extended closure, leading educational institutions to pivot to online learning for the rest of the academic year.
The situation escalated on March 14, when the Canadian federal government strongly advised citizens traveling abroad to return home due to the impending restrictions that could be imposed without warning. In previous advisories, Canadians had been encouraged to cancel or postpone non-essential travel.
By March 17, Premier Ford issued a state of emergency in Ontario, mandating the closure of various businesses, including daycares, bars, restaurants, theaters, and private schools. In the subsequent weeks, all non-essential businesses were ordered to shut down, resulting in a surge in COVID-19 infections across the province. This period marked the beginning of a complex cycle of restrictions that would continue for two years as vaccination efforts slowly brought the situation under more manageable control.
As we look back on these pivotal moments, it’s clear that the shared experiences of these lockdowns have deeply impacted Ontario’s communities and will continue to resonate in the years to come.
Source
globalnews.ca