Province announces Phase One as golf courses, marinas re-open

TORONTO — Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced last week that Phase 1 of the province’s plan to re-open was to begin Tuesday, May 19.

“Today’s news is good news”, said Ford in his daily news conference on Thursday, May 14. “Our efforts are paying off.”

Ford cautioned that as the economy gets up and running, Ontarians still need to be careful.

“As we get more and more people back to work, the risk of flare-ups is real so we need to be vigilant,” he said.

As a teaser to the opening, Ford announced that golf courses could open for the long weekend, with the clubhouses only open for washroom use and any restaurants attached open for takeout only.

In addition, marinas and public boat launches were allowed to re-open for recreational use. Private parks and campgrounds were also on the list.

The first stage of the plan will focus on workplaces that are well positioned to follow public health protocols. Ford said that businesses should only open if they are ready to do so and not take anything for granted.

Retail stores that have a separate street-front entrance, located outside of shopping malls, are now allowed to open with strict physical distancing measures.

The announcment left retailers scrambling to get all their measures in place for a Tuesday opening.

A full list is available at www.news. ontario.ca