Ontario will let regions take lead on tougher COVID-19 pandemic measures for now: Ford

TORONTO – Ontario Premier Doug Ford says his government will keep relying on local medical officers of health to reinstate pandemic restrictions as COVID-19 infections rise in the province.

Health units covering Sudbury, Ont., and the Algoma region in northern Ontario have reintroduced pandemic measures as cases spike, including business capacity limits the province lifted last month.

Ford says that local approach makes sense because the risk is lower than in previous infection waves now that more people are vaccinated.

He says his government will also keep heeding the advice of the province’s top doctor.

Get weekly health news

Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday.

Sign up for weekly health newsletter Sign Up

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Southwestern Public Health said this week it was considering further pandemic measures to alleviate pressure on the local health system.

Ontario reported 481 COVID-19 cases and one more death from the virus on Tuesday as the seven-day average for daily infections climbed to 579, up from 492 a week ago.

1:56 COVID-19: Ford says Ontario will be ‘very cautious’ when introducing symptomatic testing in pharmacies