Good evening, we’re updating the coronavirus newsletter to better reflect the pandemic as it changes. What would you like to see included? Send your thoughts to audience@globeandmail.com
Top headlines:
- Ottawa will mandate vaccines for workers in federally regulated industries
- Ontario municipal leaders call for COVID-19 vaccine passport
- Alberta will delay plans to end some COVID-19 measures
In the past seven days, 12,145 cases were reported, up 68 per cent from the previous seven days. There were 45 deaths announced. At least 526 people are being treated in hospitals.
Canada’s inoculation rate is 9th among countries with a population of one million or more people.
Sources: Canada data is compiled from government websites, Johns Hopkins and COVID-19 Canada Open Data Working Group; international data is from Johns Hopkins University.
Coronavirus explainers: Coronavirus in maps and charts • Tracking vaccine doses • Lockdown rules and reopening
Photo of the day
Healthcare workers sit at the Zwartkops Raceway drive-through COVID-19 vaccination site in Centurion, near Pretoria, on August 13, 2021.LUCA SOLA/AFP/Getty Images
Coronavirus in Canada
- In Ontario, mayors of cities that make up nearly 70 per cent of the province’s population are calling for a COVID-19 vaccine passport system, saying it could help businesses and event spaces open more safely and encourage people to get vaccinated. Premier Doug Ford has so far refused to implement one, saying he doesn’t want to have a split society.
- In Alberta, after two weeks of strong public opposition, the government announced it will delay plans to end routine COVID-19 testing, contact tracing and mandatory isolation by six weeks as cases spike. The province’s top doctor, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, said the government will also extend a masking mandate for public transit and continue testing for any symptomatic individuals.
Ottawa will require employees and workers in federally regulated industries and many travellers to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
- The move will affect roughly 1.5 million workers and those who opt to travel by air, interprovincial train and cruise.
- “The government of Canada has a large workforce and a large reach to help in the fight against COVID-19. It is both our opportunity, but also our duty, to lead by example,” said Dominic LeBlanc, head of the Privy Council.
COVID-19 vaccines: Provinces take varied approaches to federal COVID-19 vaccine passports
Globe opinion
- Robyn Urback: COVID-19 vaccine mandates could offer something unexpected to the hesitant: relief
- Andrew Coyne: Here are the issues – including COVID-19 – that should be debated this federal election, but probably won’t
More reporting
- COVID-19 has led young Canadians to reassess their home ownership strategies.
- Performing arts companies, festivals, venues – and artists – are mulling the possibility of COVID-19 vaccine passports.
Information centre
- Everything you need to know about Canada’s travel restrictions for vaccinated and unvaccinated people
- Waiting for a second dose? We answer your COVID-19 vaccine questions
- What is and isn’t ‘paid sick leave’ in Canada? A short primer
- Got a vaccine ‘hangover’? Here’s why
Sources: Canada data are compiled from government websites, Johns Hopkins University and COVID-19 Canada Open Data Working Group; international data are from Johns Hopkins.
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Jessie Willms