students management experience A year of COVID-19: Timeline

DECEMBER 2019

On Dec. 31, the World Health Organization (WHO) was alerted to a cluster of pneumonia cases arising in Wuhan, China, later identified to be caused by a novel coronavirus.

JANUARY 2020

The novel coronavirus situation was being monitored by Canada throughout the month, with signage, screening and warnings beginning around mid January.

On Jan. 22, the first case of novel coronavirus was reported in Toronto. A male, 56, travelled between Wuhan and Guangzhou before returning to Toronto. Testing and results were conducted in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Results were confirmed positive on Jan. 29.

Dr. Teresa Tam, chief public health officer, said that while it may be rare, Canada is expected to have cases.

On Jan. 30, the WHO declared novel coronavirus a “public health emergency of international concern.”

FEBRUARY 2020

Other countries around the world, like Australia, had begun closing their borders to China amid the growing health crisis. Canada, while beginning the return process of Canadian citizens from China, hadn’t felt the need to close its borders, as at this time, there were a total of four confirmed cases.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau argued against restricting travel specifically from China stating that the suggestion was inherently discriminatory.

On Feb. 26, Minister of Health Patty Hajdu recommended that citizens begin stocking supplies.

However, this recommendation was met with criticism, as it was seen to be too vague and prompted other problems.

MARCH 2020

On March 4, Prime Minister Trudeau created a cabinet committee dedicated to limiting the spread of novel coronavirus (now referred to as COVID-19).

On March 11, Trudeau announced that there were plans in place for a $1B response fund, including funding to the WHO, a package to the provinces, as well as an additional fund to research of COVID-19 in Canada.

Also, on March 11, the WHO declared COVID-19 a worldwide pandemic.

Canada implemented the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) to help people during the ongoing pandemic. Those eligible would receive a payment every four weeks, and be able to access the benefit from March 15, to Oct. 3, 2020.

On March 16, Trudeau announced that travel restrictions were continuing to be discussed. In the meantime any international travel was routed through only four Canadian airports in order to “enhance the screening process” of those crossing the border.

On March 24, the Ontario Government ordered a mandatory shutdown of all non-essential businesses in order to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Any Canadian currently outside of Canada was urged to come home, and those who were unable to due to illness or travel restrictions were given a $5000 stipend to support them until they could return.

On March 30, Dr. Tam had changed her stance on masks, suggesting that those who were ill should be wearing a mask, but that it was still currently unnecessary for healthy individuals to do so.

APRIL 2020

Trudeau stated on April 2 that he was confident the pandemic restrictions would remain in place until at least July.

On April 6, Trudeau announced additional aid to be added to CERB as there are “people who aren’t benefiting from [it] who probably should.”

Also, Dr. Tam advised the use of masks on public transit in order to reduce the chance of respiratory droplets from landing on surfaces and people. She also offered suggestions to make masks at home, for those who could not acquire masks of their own.

On April 10, the RCMP said that they were told to enforce the Quarantine Act despite the federal government’s unwillingness to enforce the Emergencies Act. Actions could see physical enforcement and fines of those suspected not to be following social distancing and health guidelines.

On April 15, Trudeau warned against premature reopening of the economy, stating that Canada would be locked down for “many more weeks.”

On April 28, it was revealed that 79 per cent of all deaths to date in Canada were linked to long-term care facilities. However, Trudeau urged Canadians not to “drop their guard” as the country began to show progress in combating the pandemic.

MAY 2020

On May 1, royal assent was granted to the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) which saw a monthly payment of $1,250 to students who could not work due to the pandemic.

Throughout May, cases began to rise at an alarming rate compared to previous months. An outbreak in Alberta led to outbreaks in four provinces.

Concerns over COVID-19 response spending began to surface. Parliamentary budget officer Yves Giroux said that the federal debt could hit $1 trillion. Giroux also said it was possible that pandemic programs could cost “more than what the entire federal government spent last year on everything.”

On May 19, Ontario began Phase One of its provincial reopening, and Premier Doug Ford was keen on letting Ontarians know that the reopening phases were more of a roadmap, rather than a schedule. Ford was insistent that he would follow the advice of health professionals on the situation.

ALLAN SLOAN

JUNE 2020

On June 12, parts of Ontario were permitted to enter Phase 2 of the reopening plan. This included groups of 10 outdoors and five indoors, in places of worship, restaurant patios, and in barber shops.

On June 18, Canada had passed 100,000 total confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Canada’s total death toll on the same date was revealed to be 8,348.

JULY 2020

On July 17, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health issued a mandatory mask mandate for its population, the first city in the province to do so.

On the same date, large portions of Ontario were permitted to enter Phase 3 of reopening with the exception of the Greater Toronto Area, and other larger metropolitan areas.

Phase 3 included indoor dining in restaurants, live performing arts shows, and the reopening of movie theatres and playgrounds.

A spike in COVID-19 cases occurred in several provinces as young people gathered in large groups ignoring many social distancing guidelines.

AUGUST 2020

Much of the country attempted to slowly reopen, cases in Ontario were slowly ticking upward, and more and more businesses were permitted to open under strict guidelines and restrictions.

SEPTEMBER 2020

After planning and consideration, schools were permitted to reopen for the regular school year on Sept. 8, under strict guidelines.

On Sept. 23, Trudeau announced that Canada was facing a second wave of the pandemic.

COVID-19 cases across the country continued to rise. OCTOBER 2020

Ontario reported 809 new cases, while Quebec confirmed 1,097 new cases.

New Brunswick announced 20 new cases, 9 connected to care-home outbreaks.

Manitoba saw 2 more deaths and 97 new cases.

No additional lockdowns were put in place, and no new regions opened up.

NOVEMBER 2020

On Nov. 3, Ontario introduced a new colour coded system response in order to better guard against the COVID-19 pandemic. The new colour coded system was designed to assess individual regions that may have differing needs from each other. Guelph was placed in Orange level, signifying intermediate measures.

Talk of a vaccine had begun, with two candidates looking at nearing completion — one created by Pfizer and the other by Moderna.

Both vaccines had an approximate 95% success rate at preventing infection.

On Nov. 23, Toronto, and Peel regions were under the Grey colour code, and considered to be in lockdown.

DECEMBER 2020

On Dec. 7, Trudeau announced that the first 249,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine would arrive before the end of the year pending approval.

On Dec. 9, the Government of Canada approved the Pfizer vaccine, guaranteeing 249,000 doses of the vaccine to be administered in December.

Canada is expected to have 4 million doses by the end of March.

On Dec. 14, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph region entered Red (control) level.

ENTERING JANUARY 2021

It’s important to remember that the pandemic is not over yet. While social distancing guidelines are in place for all of Ontario and Canada, it is important to remember your own due diligence. Masks are required in all indoor spaces, and groups are limited to 10.

Stay safe and stay healthy.