Premier Doug Ford says he is sparing no expense when it comes to helping out long-term care homes during the COVID-19 crisis.
On Wednesday afternoon, Ford announced that the Government of Ontario is introducing a comprehensive plan to protect one of the province's most vulnerable populations.
"Today, we're throwing everything we've got at our long-term care homes," exclaimed Ford. "We're mobilizing every available resource. We will stop at nothing to protect those who cannot protect themselves."
The provincial government is implementing "Ontario's COVID-19 Action Plan for Long-Term Care Homes."
Ford was joined by Dr. Merrilee Fullerton, the minister of long-term care, who said testing for COVID-19 will be enhanced at long-term care facilities across the province.
"Over the next 48 hours, we will be launching more aggressive screening, testing and surveillance by screening all symptomatic staff and residents as well as asymptomatic contacts of confirmed cases," she said.
Fullerton added that the testing of asymptomatic residents and staff will also be introduced at select homes across Ontario that have seen outbreaks of the virus.
"We will be managing outbreaks and spread of the disease through a new emergency order that was issued last night, limiting worksites for all workers in long-term care," said Fullerton.
On Tuesday, Ontario issued an emergency order that bans long-term care employees from working in more than one facility. Fullerton said the provincial government will be working with the federal government to address wage and compensation concerns for those employees affected by the order.
This comes as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced new measures by the federal government on Wednesday morning to assist those working in long-term care homes. Trudeau said plans are underway to increase wages for essential workers who earn less than $2,500 a month.
According to Ford, the provincial government will also start ensuring priority distribution of vital supplies during the pandemic.
"We're getting [personal protective equiptment] to long-term care homes in need within 24 hours or less," he said. "We'll put more boots on the ground."
When questioned why it took several weeks to put a formal plan in place, Ford stressed that this was meant to be an enhancement of what actions have already been taken by the province.
"This wasn't just the first thing that we've done... We've done quite a bit, right from the get-go...This is just enhancement, by no means is this the first thing that we've done," he said. "We've done a tremendous amount."
A $243 million fund was previously announced by the provincial government to create additional surge capacity in long-term care homes as well as to help with more staffing.
