Schreiner statement on economic reopening

April 27, 2020

QUEEN’S PARK — Mike Schreiner released the following statement after the province released its plan to re-open Ontario:

“I want to thank the Premier for outlining a cautious and gradual plan to reopen the province. The worst thing we could do is rush this process and undo all of our collective efforts to save lives.

I support the decision to make reopening conditional upon a sustained decrease in cases and an increase in testing capacity.

My biggest concern is that Ontario does not have the testing infrastructure required to start returning to normal. The province has struggled to meet testing targets, even with the majority of people in isolation.

The Premier must show us that the testing capacity is in place before rolling out this plan.

With more people out in public, the systems must be in place for widespread community testing and contact tracing to immediately identify and halt a resurgence of COVID-19.

Once we do start to ease restrictions, the province must also provide physical distancing guidelines to instruct people and businesses how to conduct themselves safely.

We need clear and enforceable public safety rules so that a return of better weather does not usher in a return of the virus.”

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