COVID-19 and its variants continue to challenge Ontario’s health system, resulting in the government announcing additional public health measures. In response, RNAO issued media releases saying that the measures do not go far enough given the highly transmissible, airborne Omicron.

On Jan. 20, the government announced it would ease public health measures beginning Jan. 31, allowing gyms, indoor dining, theatres, and sports and concert venues to open up to 50 per cent capacity. This is an irresponsible decision given people’s surgeries and procedures have been postponed, schools have only just reopened and ICU numbers continue to increase. Read RNAO’s full response, which also demands the government repeal Bill 124 and fast track the process for internationally educated nurses to address the staffing crisis in nursing.

On Jan. 3, RNAO’s media release stated the government’s “too little, too late” approach is leading to the collapse of the hospital sector, and urges the province to immediately revert to step one in its Roadmap to Reopen. A few days earlier, on Dec. 30, RNAO said in another media release that the government is surrendering its fight against Omicron by failing to keep on top of data, testing, serious public health measures and the health of Ontarians.

To read more of RNAO’s responses to government measures since the onset of COVID-19, please visit RNAO’s newsroom.