Ottawa Heading Back to Stage Two:

New restrictions to limit the spread of the Novel Coronavirus will go in effect in Ottawa, Toronto, and Peel Region first thing Saturday.

They will prohibit indoor restaurant dining, and force the closure of casinos, gyms, and movie theaters, for at least 28 days. You are also asked to limit trips out of the home for only essential purposes.

Other changes:

-Closure of interactive exhibits in museums, galleries, zoos and science centres.

-A limit of 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors where physical distancing can be maintained for all social gatherings and organized public events.

-A ban on personal care services that require face coverings to be removed, such as beard trimming and makeup application.

-Limiting team sports to training sessions.

-Reducing real estate open houses to 10 people indoors, where physical distancing can be maintained.

COVID-19 Ottawa:

This news comes as Ottawa records another 126 confirmed cases.

5,279 cases have been confirmed here during the pandemic, with 875 active cases, and 4108 resolved. No new deaths related to the virus were reported today, leaving that number at 296.

COVID-19 Ontario:

Across Ontario there are 939 new cases Friday, marking a new daily record.

The province is also reporting five new deaths due to the virus. 56,742 cases have been reported in Ontario throughout the pandemic, with 2,992 deaths, 48,308 resolved.

Another School Closes:

A COVID-19 outbreak has forced the closure of another local school.

St. Jerome Elementary School in Riverside South is being shut down for at least two weeks, after two staff members tested positive. Outbreaks continue at ten other local schools.

Commercial Rent Relief:

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced a revamped commercial rent-relief program.

This one will provide direct help to businesses hit by the pandemic, not landlords, to help business owners offset the cost of rent. The program will cover up to 65 per cent of eligible expenses for companies, and up to 90 per cent for those subject to localized lockdowns.

New Quebec Indigenous Affairs Minister:

A former police officer turned politician is Quebec’s new Indigenous affairs minister.

Premier Francois Legault replaced Sylvie D’Amours with Ian Lafreniere Friday as he tries to reset frayed relations with First Nations leaders. Tension developed after the death of Joyce Echaquan, who was subjected to racial slurs by staff at the hospital in Joliette before her death.