Canada is once again imposing strict restrictions and social distancing guidelines as the number of new coronavirus cases rose to levels not seen since May. Health authorities said the increase might be a sign of a second wave.
According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, the seven-day average of new coronavirus cases in the country has increased to nearly 1,000 cases a day. On Monday, the health officials declared during a news briefing that something had to be done and people would have to adhere to strict social distancing - even if it won't be "fun" for everyone.
"I'm telling you that right now the curve is not the way it was in (March through May) but it's still pretty bad," Quebec's director of public health Dr. Horacio Arruda said.
Health experts said despite the new guidelines Canadians were still gathering in large groups. This makes it very hard to contain the disease - and the problem is still a critical issue for the medical care industry. Official government data shows about two-thirds of the new cases recorded over the past months have been detected in citizens 40 years or younger.
As part of the extended measures authorities will be enforcing restrictions on mass gatherings. This will include indoor, outdoor and private gatherings - which will now be limited to between six and 10 people only. This rule applies to large cities such as Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto. In Ontario, the fine for breaking the new rule is as much as $7,500.
Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante said the new restrictions might be difficult for some but they are in place to limit damage. Toronto's head of its coronavirus task force, Fire Chief Matthey Pegg, stated that all his staff were ready to enforce the regulations.
Toronto Mayor John Tory publicly pleaded with residents to continue to stay at home. He asked everyone keep social contact to a minimum and go out only if headed to work or school.
"Do I have to be doing this? Do I have to be going to this place? Do I have to be having these people over? And if the answer is, not really, then, don't, please," Tory said.
