COVID 19 Daily Rundown March 24, 2020

The number of Coronavirus cases alarmingly spiked in the last 24 hours, with the total number of cases in Canada now slightly above 2,500.

The House of Commons suspended proceedings as the government is working out a COVID 19 economic aid package to aide all those impacted by the virus. 

Starting Wednesday, Parks Canada is closing vehicle access to national parks, national historic sites, and marine conservation areas. 

Here’s a roundup of the top stories from each province: 

Canadian Armed Forces

On Tuesday afternoon, the Chief of the Defence Staff General Jonathan Vance issued another letter to inform the community that the Canadian Armed Forces training institutions have ceased training and education. http://ow.ly/Ei0K50yUNS9

British Columbia

BC Parks will be closing certain parks and recreation centres including Mount Seymour Provincial Park, Cypress Provincial Park, Miracle Beach Provincial Park, and Wells Gray Provincial Park. This ban is in effect until April 30. For more information, visit http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/. 

Alberta 

Community and Social Services has suspended in-person service delivery in its program offices, and Alberta Supports Centres. Senior facilities are now facing limited visitations. 

Saskatchewan 

The government of Saskatchewan announced six new cases in its province in a press conference today. The province’s health minister also announced more ventilators are on order. 

Manitoba 

Manitoba announced today that it would postpone eviction hearings and freeze rent rates that were scheduled to take effect on April 1 or later. 

Ontario

Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced today the province is eliminating mid-peak and on-peak electricity rates for the next 45 days. According to the Ontario Energy Board, the off-peak rate is 10.1 cents per kilowatt an hour, the mid-peak rate is 14.4 cents per kilowatt an hour, and on-peak rate is 20.8 cents per kilowatt an hour.

Quebec 

Start midnight, all face-to-face business and commercial activity will come to a pause until April 13. Essential services grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, SAQ and SQDC, will remain open. 

New Brunswick 

The province imposed new guidelines Tuesday: anyone who has travelled anywhere outside of the province must stay in self-isolation for 14 days. 

Nova Scotia 

Nova Scotia’s chief public health officer stated today that the province has doubled its COVID-19 testing capacity and increased staffing levels. 

PEI

PEI has shut down all non-essential services, including liquor and cannabis stores, as well as hairdressers, nail salons, malls, pools, and fitness facilities. The province also announced the police may step in, if necessary if any individuals do not comply with their guidelines. 

Newfoundland and Labrador

Private health clinics, including chiropractor clinics, physiotherapists, dentists, and massage clinics, are now ordered to be closed after the province saw 11 new cases. 

Nunavut

All public gatherings are now banned, and a travel ban will take effect at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday. Only residents and critical workers will be allowed.