Ontario government not currently considering imposing curfew, sources say

Government sources say Ontario is not currently considering imposing a curfew.

Cabinet members were set to meet Monday to discuss possible new measures aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19, but a curfew is not on the table.

Over the weekend, sources told Global News that Ontario was considering implementing a curfew similar to Quebec’s.

The government reportedly looked at the possibility of having the measures in place from 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. It would have meant that most residents could not leave their properties during that time, with the exception of essential workers and some others.

On Saturday, a curfew came into effect in Quebec and is set to remain in place until Feb. 8.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Monday that an announcement regarding possible new measures will be made on Tuesday — the same day new COVID-19 modelling will be released.

Ford said officials worked on new recommendations throughout the weekend.

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In a press conference Monday afternoon, Ontario associate chief medical officer of health Dr. Barbara Yaffe said the province’s health table did not end up making a recommendation to implement a curfew.

“There isn’t very good evidence one way or the other about whether curfews work or not, to my knowledge,” Yaffe said.

“I think it was a serious consideration but at this point I understand it’s not going forward, but there are other serious measures being considered.”

Yaffe also said she believes that enforcement of COVID-19 measures “needs to be increased to ensure compliance” along with supports to assist people who may be struggling as a result of the pandemic.

1:55 Possibility of curfew reportedly taken off the table for Ontario, sources say

In a statement following a meeting of Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area mayors and regional chairs, municipal officials said they will work together and with the province to implement any additional measures, adding they should be implemented “as soon as possible.”

“The mayors and chairs are satisfied with the reported decision of the provincial government not to implement a curfew as part of the additional measures,” the statement continued.

“They look forward to working with the province to empower citizens to adopt even greater personal responsibility to defeat the virus working within the anticipated tighter restrictions.”

— With files from Travis Dhanraj