Ontario to close Provincial borders as COVID-19 Hits Hard!

April 17, 2021BY Abu Susan ( 23 ) Comment

The government of Ontario has announced new restrictions to help flatten the curve of the 3rd wave of COVID-19.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford declared Friday that the Province’s stay-at-home order would remain in effect for two weeks extra than the initial pronouncement, making it six weeks. The new Provincial restrictions take effect from April 17, 2021, at 12:01 am.

Health officials had earlier advised that the lockdown should be six weeks to flatten the curve effectively. Part of the extra measures includes a provincial border closer along Ontario’s borders with Quebec and Manitoba.

The new plan of action would also restrict inter-provincial travel with exceptions for those on essential duty, medical care, and transportation of goods. Health officials say the pandemic has drained hospital capacity, especially intensive care.

The province is also closing outdoor recreational amenities and non-essential construction. Ontario reports 4,812 new cases daily, while Ottawa reported 345 new cases.

Premier Doug Ford also called on the federal government to “immediately tighten up Canada’s international borders,” to avoid new variants from entering the country.

The Solicitor General, Sylvia Jones, announced that the police would be authorized to require those not in a private residence to explain why they violated the stay-at-home order and provide their home address. The police would also be authorized to pull people over while driving to explain why they disobeyed the stay-at-home order.

23 thoughts on “Ontario to close Provincial borders as COVID-19 Hits Hard!
  1. EmmanuelSays

    4 years ago

    Hello Susan, thank you for your continuous hard work. Please, I would like to know if the Nigerian E-passport intervention team would be coming to Atlantic Canada soon? Many of us in this region need our passports renewed, and with the new restrictions set in Ontario, many of us are running out of time. It would be great If the team could come here next

    1. Abu SusanSays

      4 years ago

      Yes, Emmanuel, the team will be there. Link up with the Nigerian Canadian Association there for details of date and logistics.

  2. EmmanuelSays

    4 years ago

    Thanks for the reply. How do I link up with them? Do they have a website or contact address?

    1. Abu SusanSays

      4 years ago

      Find out from Nigerians there. All Provinces have Nigerian Associations. You could also visit google.

    2. AzeezatSays

      4 years ago

      Hi Emmanuel, I’m based in the Atlantic Canada too, Halifax. Were you able to get in contact with anyone yet ?

  3. AnnSays

    4 years ago

    Hello, I have two questions, please. 1. Is there a plan for the Nigerian E-passport intervention team to come to Toronto or more specifically London, Ontario anytime soon? Is there a schedule that shows where they plan to go in the next couple of weeks/months? 2. I was planning to renew my passport and had made all necessary payments. My appointment date was April 14 which is now passed due to the lockdown. Will people who had appointment dates be prioritized over those picking new dates? I see that the appointment calendar is now in June. Should I pick a tentative date myself (just in case) or wait to be assigned one?

    1. Abu SusanSays

      4 years ago

      Hello Ann, You do not have to pick a new date. We will get back to you when we resume the normal schedule. No, there is no schedule for our movement for Passport Intervention at the moment. This is because we work with the Nigerian Canadian Associations in the Provinces who in turn contact Nigerians in their domain. The executives of the Associations get back to the Mission as soon as they get a critical mass of Nigerians to go on the Mission's website to make the necessary payments to renew their passports. They are responsible for picking dates convenient for Nigerians. However, you have to be a member of the Association to join their mailing list for vital information. We will try to post the date of our next Intervention exercise on the website as soon as we finalize arrangements with the next province's Association. We do not plan to visit Toronto or London because they are in Ontario. The Intervention program is meant for Provinces far away from Ontario.

  4. AnnSays

    4 years ago

    Thanks for your prompt response, Susan. Have a good 'rest of the' day!

    1. Abu SusanSays

      4 years ago

      Have a good evening, Ann. Thank you.

  5. CallySays

    4 years ago

    Hello Susan, Would our Embassy be able to process emergency travel certificate during this period of restrictions in Ottawa? I sent out the application for my daughter on Friday last week but it couldn't be delivered because your office is temporarily closed. She really needs to travel please.

    1. Abu SusanSays

      4 years ago

      Hi Cally, I will find out and get back to you tomorrow, please.

  6. CallySays

    4 years ago

    Hello Susan, is your office able to process requests for emergency travel certificates during this extended lockdown period? I sent in a request for my daughter last week and hoping to have it process before her travel date please.

    1. Abu SusanSays

      4 years ago

      Yes, we do.

      1. CallySays

        4 years ago

        Sounds good!

  7. CallySays

    4 years ago

    Okay thanks Susan!! Expecting ...

  8. TopeSays

    4 years ago

    pls I which to ask if Canada in nigeria embassy is go to reopen is year and pls which month pls

    1. Abu SusanSays

      4 years ago

      I don't understand your question Tope

  9. TopeSays

    4 years ago

    pls which Canadian embassy in reopen of visa is year and month

    1. Abu SusanSays

      4 years ago

      Tope, ????

  10. TopeSays

    4 years ago

    what am asking which time Canada embassy in Nigeria are they go to reopen back

    1. Abu SusanSays

      4 years ago

      Sorry, we cannot answer questions for the Canadian embassy in Nigeria.

  11. Abu SusanSays

    4 years ago

    Nizari, IRCC insist that we should not have any form of gathering at the High Commission. That explains why we cannot attend to people. We would try to post the next port of call for Intervention on the website. However, it is pertinent to know that we collaborate with the Nigerian Canadian Associations in the Provinces. They liaise with Nigerians there and decide on a convenient date for capture. So you have to get in touch with them as soon as we post the dates.

  12. CallySays

    4 years ago

    Susan, Thanks for following through; I received the ETC quite in good time. God bless you.

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