COVID-19 Government and International Response: July 20, 2020

WHAT TO KNOW

Global COVID-19 cases have reached 14,476,729, up from 13,530,628 at 3:30 p.m. Friday. Canada now reports 110,338 cases, up from 109,264 cases of COVID-19 on Friday. Ontario reports 37,739 cases, up from 37,274 cases on Friday.

The growth rate of new cases in the province is still under 1%, with 135 (0.4%) new cases reported since yesterday. Of the province’s total cases, 33,513 have been resolved (88.8%) and there have been 2,752 deaths (7.3%). The province has now completed 1,887,135 tests and reports 11,351 tests are currently under investigation. More information here.

A province-by-province breakdown of Canada’s COVID-19 case count can be found here.

FEDERAL

On July 18, the Federal Government announced that Canada will not be issuing a National Interest Exemption for the MLB’s regular season at this time. Following on the advice of public health officials it has been concluded that the cross-border travel required for MLB regular-season play would not adequately protect Canadians’ health and safety. More information here.

Today, The Government of Canada pledged to invest over $361,000 in eight new projects in Ontario communities through the Municipal Asset Management Program (MAMP). As economies re-open, these projects will help communities make data-driven decisions about roads, water systems, buildings, and other key infrastructure. More information here.

PROVINCIAL

The Ontario Government is allowing seven more regions to enter Stage 3 on Friday, July 24, increasing the number of businesses and public spaces that will reopen across the province. However, following today’s press conference, Premier Doug Ford announced that Toronto, Peel Region and Windsor-Essex Region will not be granted permission to enter Stage 3 and will remain in Stage 2 for at least another week. The following regions will join the 24 public health regions that entered Stage 3 on Friday, July 17, 2020:

• Durham Region Health Department
• Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit
• Halton Region Health Department
• Hamilton Public Health Services
• Lambton Health Unit
• Niagara Region Public Health Department
• York Region Public Health Services

More information here.

The Ontario Government is providing Ontario Place with $2 million to support on-site activities, including several innovative festivals and events that allow people to safely reengage in arts and cultural experiences. As the province safely and gradually reopens, these initiatives will help with the economic recovery of the arts, entertainment, and hospitality sectors in Ontario. More information here.

INTERNATIONAL