Premier to Young People: Stop Partying

Friday, 24 July 2020 at 14:38

Premier Doug Ford is pleading with young people to stop attending big parties and is calling on Medical Officers of Health to enact more protocols to keep communities safe.

ONTARIO - The Premier of Ontario is pleading with young people to stop partying.

Doug Ford says the daily numbers continue to fluctuate and with 195 cases confirmed today, he is asking people to stop partying.

"We have the brightest young people of anywhere in the world but there is a small percentage, I'm telling guys, you just can't be going to these parties. It's not little Johnny, I'm worried about, it's little Johnny's grandparents I'm worried about. They go to the party and then visit their grandparents or parents, that is what I am worried about."

Ford did say the vast majority of young people are cooperating and following the guidelines.

"You get the odd small group, we had a party out in Ottawa I heard about. A young guy had a party, he had COVID-19, he got tested afterwards, he didn't know he had the virus at the time of the party but, still guys, just don't go to the party, what more can I say, just be responsible."

Ford did say he is not a fan of placing more guidelines on the entire Province.

"I always say, Timmins isn't Toronto, Manitoulin isn't Markham, Kenora isn't Kitchener, we have such a vast area and I want to emphasize this, I think I say this every press conference, every Medical Officer of Health has the powers to put in protocols and if they want to put protocols in at large urban areas, then by all means, I welcome it, I encourage it."

Ford is encouraging Medical Officers of Health to use their powers.

"So if you have a large urban centre and you are seeing issues then put in the protocols, make sure that we address the issues at the bars but I can't compare Timmins to large urban areas, I can't compare Kenora where we don't see a lot of cases there. I encourage the Medical Officers of Health to use their powers and make their communities safer."

You can listen to the Premiers comments below: