Ford Says Good News For Gyms, Restaurants & Other Closed Businesses To Come This Week

Premier Doug Ford has dropped another hint that a major announcement on COVID-19 restrictions is coming soon.

In an interview posted to Twitter by CityNews journalist Cynthia Mulligan, Ford says they "look forward to having a good announcement for restaurants, gyms and other folks that have been closed."

Ford has been laying out easter eggs like Taylor Swift before an album drop, casually mentioning that a "good" or "positive" announcement is on its way – each time repeating how much he hates closures.

Ford said in an interview with News Talk 580 CFRA's The Morning Rush with Bill Carroll on January 18 that an announcement with "positive news" would be made later this week.

"We'll have some positive news. I believe we're going to make some announcements later this week about going back to other levels of restrictions," said Ford.

In his most recent interview, Ford echoed that he "despises" shutdowns and says his "heart breaks" for businesses facing closures.

"I'm a business person, right from day one, and I understand the needs that they have and the payroll that they have to meet, and other areas. We're putting every resource possible to make sure we support them," said Ford.

Indoor dining, gyms and other business have been closed since January 5, when the province reverted to a modified version of Step Two of its reopening plan amid rising COVID-19 hospitalizations.