OTTAWA — As of March 1, the province of Ontario will not require folks present proof of vaccination to enter any indoor areas, the premier, Doug Ford, introduced on Monday morning.
In a name with reporters, Mr. Ford mentioned that the change in public coverage to rescind the so-called vaccine go was based mostly on the diminishing variety of coronavirus instances and hospitalizations, and was not a concession to the demonstrators who’ve camped out in vans round Parliament Hill; choked worldwide commerce by blockading a key border crossing in Windsor, Ontario; and impressed copycat protests across the nation and world.
“Let me be very clear: We’re transferring on this route as a result of it’s secure to take action,’’ Mr. Ford mentioned. “Right this moment’s announcement shouldn’t be due to what’s occurring in Ottawa, or Windsor, however regardless of it.”
Beginning Feb. 17, indoor capability limits within the province will likely be loosened, and a few out of doors gathering limits lifted fully, Mr. Ford mentioned. Masks mandates, nevertheless, will stay in place “a short time longer,” he mentioned, including he made the choice in session along with his minister of well being.
A central demand of the protesters has been the lifting of a mandate that requires truckers who cross the border into the US to be vaccinated to re-enter Canada. That requirement can solely be set or rolled again by the federal authorities.
As Mr. Ford made his announcement, horns erupted within the Ottawa morning from the trucker encampment.
Man Meister, a trucker from Aylesford, Nova Scotia, who has been camped in his truck outdoors Canada’s Parliament for the reason that occupation started, mentioned that he didn’t belief Mr. Ford’s phrase. He had delivered to Ottawa a black-and-white checkered flag, the type waved over the victor at automobile races, he mentioned, to fly from his truck when he felt his calls for have been met.
“We’re solely right here to cease the mandate,” Mr. Meister mentioned. “In the event that they cease the mandate, then I’ll fly it.”
Supply: NY Times
