Steve Payne
COVID-19 Alert: Ontario bans new residential construction sites, while allowing “existing” sites to stay open
Canadian ContractorThe new regulations come into effect at midnight Saturday, April 4
Ontario premier Doug Ford announced today that “existing” residential construction sites can remain legally open – for now. But no new residential sites will be permitted to open at this time.
“Any new builds, they are closed down,” Ford said.
The new policy will take effect at midnight tomorrow, Saturday, April 4th.
In addition, Ford announced that “industrial construction,” excluding critical infrastructure (such as hospitals and transportation) will have to shut down.
Construction sites were included when Ford announced on March 23 a list of 74 “essential services” that would be allowed to continue operating during the semi-lockdown of the province during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ford said today that “more than 60” new inspectors would join a blitz to examine existing construction sites to make sure Covid-19 precautions like physical distancing and onsite sanitation facilities were being implemented. Existing sites “will be placed under the highest level of scrutiny possible,” Ford added.
Taking questions from reporters, Ford said the province’s housing shortage justified the continued operation of existing residential job sites. “Nothing would be more dangerous than to have people piled up” in temporary accommodations because they could not move into homes they were expecting to move into, Ford said.
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3 Comments » for COVID-19 Alert: Ontario bans new residential construction sites, while allowing “existing” sites to stay open
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[…] COVID-19 Alert: Ontario bans new residential construction sites, while allowing “existing” sites… […]
RE: Ontario shuts down some construction sites: In this article BC’s Public Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says the following about construction sites: “These are less risky environments for the most part even though you may have a lot of people there.”
So, if the Ontario construction shutdown really is about health and safety, government should also shut its enclosed liquor stores. Those products could be delivered via existing (and truly necessary) grocery stores. But then the government would have to share its revenue.
“…liquor stores are busier than ever.” Wonder why govt liquor stores in Quebec & Ontario not shut down like construction projects? Follow the money. In fact BC health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says construction sites “less risky” https://www.saanichnews.com/news/greater-victoria-liquor-stores-see-spike-in-sales-amidst-covid-19/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
I really can’t wait for this pandemic to be over so everything can just go back to normal. The government can’t seem to make up their minds, while business owners are losing their minds.