Stopping the Spread of COVID-19 Variants

New six-point action plan enhances existing coordinated and ongoing efforts to detect, track, trace, and contain the spread of COVID-19

Over recent weeks, three new variants of the COVID-19 virus have been identified by the province as posing a significant threat to the health and well-being of Ontarians – the UK variant, the South African variant, and the Brazilian variant. Emerging evidence has shown that these variants are more easily spread between people, with a potentially higher risk of severe illness or death.

The spread of any new COVID-19 variants is a significant threat to the province’s response to COVID-19. In response, our PC government is launching a six-point plan to prevent and stop the spread of the new COVID-19 variants of concern and protect communities across the province. This plan includes:

1. implementing mandatory testing of international travellers;
2. ramping up laboratory capacity for screening and sequencing of positive cases;
3. maintaining public health measures;
4. strengthening case and contact management measures;
5. enhancing protection for our most vulnerable populations; and,
6. leveraging analytics to inform further planning.

“We welcome the new measures announced by the federal government today, but we need a stop gap to prevent new cases, including variant cases, from arriving in Ontario until those measures are fully in place,” said Doug Ford, MPP for Etobicoke North and Premier of Ontario. “That’s why our government is taking immediate and decisive action, which includes mandatory testing of incoming international travellers and providing additional layers of protection for the people of Ontario, especially our seniors. Through our six-point plan, we intend to stop this virus in its tracks.”

With the potential of new variants spreading, it’s more important than ever to continue following public health advice and measures to keep our communities safe – this is the best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect yourself and others from getting sick.