A summer without pro sports looms as Ford unveils template for reopening the Ontario economy

It's shaping up as game over for sporting events and curtains for concerts and other big gatherings this summer as Ontario remains shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic.

That was the sobering message in a 13-page "framework for reopening our province" released Monday by Premier Doug Ford's Progressive Conservative government.

Ford emphasized the vague document, which contained no precise timetable for opening up anything, is "a road map, it's not a calendar."

"I won't set hard dates until we're ready," he said, acknowledging how difficult that is to accept.

"The framework is about how we're reopening, not when we're reopening."

Ontario would need to see "a consistent two-to-four week decrease in the number of new daily COVID-19 cases" before the government can begin lifting restrictions on what can open, the report said.

"Large public gatherings such as concerts and sporting events will be continue to be restricted for the foreseeable future."

That suggests fans could spend the summer pining for the Blue Jays, Argonauts and Toronto FC, as well as concerts, plays and cultural events that have not yet been cancelled.

"We're going to see what happens but I don't believe when sports come back that they're going to come back to a full stadium anywhere in North America. I think there will be empty stadiums at the beginning," said Ford.

"I wish I could have a crystal ball and see where we're going to be in August. I'm just praying that it's going to go the right way."

The premier stressed the eventual opening-up plan would be the same across Ontario.

"We have to open up together. It just takes one person from a heavily hit area - be it Toronto or other regions - to go up to maybe a rural area, maybe go up to cottage country, and it just starts spreading."

In Ottawa, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said "the provinces have the authority to determine what is in their best interest" because they each face "different situations."

Indeed, Quebec Premier Franiois Legault is opening schools and daycares outside Montreal on May 11 and in the city on May 19, although with class sizes limited to 15 students. All Ontario schools are shut until at least June 1.

Ford will not reopen anything without being given the OK by Dr. David Williams, Ontario's chief medical officer of health, and other officials.

Williams conceded that "we have a ways to go" before any easing of restrictions can begin because more than 400 people a day are still testing positive and there are problems with high numbers of cases in nursing homes, jails, shelters and group homes.

"We're still in the pandemic phase," said Williams, who has previously said the number of new cases daily needs to drop below 200.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said Ford "can and must do more if we are to safely move forward."

"The government needs to dramatically ramp up inspections and testing. They need to get personal protective equipment into the hands of workers in workplaces that are reopening. And they need a plan to stop the outbreaks still raging in long-term care," said Horwath.

Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca, who is calling for the creation of new pandemic response organization to ensure that the province is never again caught off guard by a virus like COVID-19, said Ford "failed to offer hope or action."

"All words, no plan. Doug Ford promised he would release a plan to reopen Ontario this week. Instead, he released a vague outline of a vague outline," said Del Duca.

Under Ford's plan, other medical hurdles that need to be cleared include an increase in the rate of infections that can be traced - 35 per cent of cases remain a mystery - and a decrease in new cases at hospitals, which have seen an 18 per cent hike in the past week.

As well, there will have to be "sufficient acute and critical care capacity" and ample supplies of personal protective equipment to ensure a second wave of COVID-19 doesn't overwhelm hospitals.

"The government will reopen Ontario businesses and public spaces gradually," said the framework, which was developed by cabinet committee led by Finance Minister Rod Phillips.

"Each stage will last approximately two-to-four week periods to allow for close monitoring of any impacts or potential resurgences of cases," the report said.

Physical distancing and hand washing are among the "significant mitigation plans to limit health risks" that will continue.

When the economy is finally restarted, parks and select workplaces - such as shops that can provide curbside pickup - will open and small gatherings would be permitted. This would enable small funerals to be held.

Hospitals would then begin to offer cancer surgeries and other scheduled procedures that have been postponed.

A fortnight to a month later, more workplaces should open as would additional outdoor spaces to allow for larger gatherings.

Another two-to-four weeks after that, all remaining workplaces would open and restrictions on public gatherings would be relaxed.

Without providing details, the plan mentions there will be "a shift to new other ways of testing and contact tracing."

There have long been criticisms Ontario hasn't done enough testing to keep track of the spread of COVID-19, particularly in nursing homes where tests are being ramped up. The province is barely able to perform 13,000 tests daily in a population of about 14 million.

The report said the government will consult with various industries and regions of the province on moving forward, and will set "strict hygiene and sanitation standards and physical distancing to the extent possible" in various workplaces.

Robert Benzie is the Star's Queen's Park bureau chief and a reporter covering Ontario politics. Follow him on Twitter: @robertbenzie

Rob Ferguson is a Toronto-based reporter covering Ontario politics for the Star. Follow him on Twitter: @robferguson1