The entire province of Ontario will enter a lockdown starting Dec. 26.
Premier Doug Ford made the announcement Monday, citing an effort to curb rising COVID-19 numbers and prevent hospitals across the province from being overrun by patients.
Ontario recorded 2,123 new COVID-19 cases and modeling projects hospital resources could be stretched beyond their capacity if further restrictions aren’t put in place.
The lockdown will run for at least 28 days, until Jan. 23 for most of the province while the northern region will see the lockdown last until Jan. 9 before being re-evaluated. All non-essential businesses will switch to curbside pickup.
For elementary school students, teaching will be done remotely for the week starting Jan. 4, with in-class learning scheduled to return Jan. 11.For secondary schools, remote learning will begin Jan. 4 and in-class learning will resume Jan. 25.
KFLA Public Health reported six new COVID-19 cases on Monday, offset by 21 recoveries. The region currently has 86 active cases.