Ford urges Ontarians to limit Thanksgiving gatherings to immediate family

Premier Doug Ford urged Ontarians on Saturday to keep their Thanksgiving celebration to immediate family only.

“I know Thanksgiving is normally a time when people get together with family and friends to give thanks and reconnect, but these aren’t normal times. This year, we will have to make adjustments in order to ensure everyone remains healthy and safe,” he said. “We must all do our part to keep gathering sizes small by sticking to our immediate households. If you live alone, you may join one other household to ensure no one is alone or isolated this holiday season, but please take the necessary precautions to keep gatherings small.”

He also encouraged everyone to stay home and limit trips outside the home, except to go to work or school, pick up groceries or medicines, keep a medical appointment, or to exercise.

He reminded about continuing to practise physical distancing with those outside your immediate household, wear masks when inside public places, or when physical distancing is a challenge, wash your hands frequently, stay home if you are unwell, and download the COVID Alert mobile app.

We cannot let our guard down as our province takes every step to contain the second wave of COVID-19, including additional targeted public health measures for Ottawa, Peel, and Toronto effective today for a 28-day period.

Ontario reported 809 new cases of COVID-19 Saturday, down slightly from Friday’s high of 939.

“Ontario is reporting 809 cases of #COVID19 as nearly 44,300 tests were completed. Locally, there are 358 new cases in Toronto, 123 in Peel, 94 in Ottawa and 76 in York Region. There are 700 more resolved cases,” said Health Minister Christine Elliot on Twitter.

In the Niagara Region, new cases remain in the single digits with nine new cases reported Friday.