10.17°C Vancouver

May 24, 2020 4:12 PM -

Doug Ford asks Ontario residents ‘to go get tested’

Share On
doug-ford-asks-ontario-residents-to-go-get-tested
File photo of Ontario Premier Doug Ford/ The Canadian Press

Ontario Premier Doug Ford urged people to get tested for COVID-19 if they wanted to, while admonishing Torontonians who crowded into a popular downtown park yesterday.

Ford said the only way to reach testing capacity in the province is for people to get tested, and said asymptomatic people will not be turned away at assessment centres during a televised address today.

The new directive for asymptomatic people to get tested is a marked change from earlier guidelines that said only people displaying symptoms are able to be tested.

Ford said the province will also unveil a new testing strategy that will focus on specific sectors next week.

The premier warned that a negative test doesn't necessarily mean that a person is in the clear, and said people should get tested again if they start to display symptoms.

Meanwhile, Ford said he was disappointed to see thousands of people crowding at Trinity Bellwoods Park on Saturday, saying a dangerous virus is still among us.

Latest news

carney-to-meet-coastal-first-nations-in-prince-rupert-on-major-projects-marine-protection
CanadaJan 12, 2026

Carney to meet Coastal First Nations in Prince Rupert on major projects, marine protection

Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to meet with leaders of Coastal First Nations in Prince Rupert on Tuesday, with discussions expected to focus on major resource projects and marine conservation along British Columbia’s coastline. Carney will be joined by Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson, whose early dealings with the alliance have drawn criticism. Hodgson faced backlash after failing to consult Coastal First Nations before the federal government signed an agreement with Alberta that could advance a new pipeline to the B.C. coast. The minister later apologized for remarks made du
police-fire-crews-investigate-fatal-house-fire-in-surrey
CanadaJan 12, 2026

Police, Fire Crews Investigate Fatal House Fire in Surrey

Surrey police and firefighters are investigating an early morning house fire that left one man dead in a residential neighbourhood of the city’s Newton area. The incident has prompted a joint investigation involving police, fire officials, and the BC Coroners Service. Surrey Police Service officers were called shortly after 7:00 a.m. to assist Surrey Fire Service crews at a blaze in the 12700 block of 56 Avenue. The home was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived, and road closures were put in place as crews worked to control the fire. While searching the residence, firefighters located th
punjab-to-launch-chief-ministers-health-insurance-scheme-on-january-22
IndiaJan 12, 2026

Punjab to launch Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme on January 22

The Punjab government will roll out its Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme on January 22, a week later than originally planned, state Health Minister Balbir Singh said on Monday. The scheme was initially scheduled to be launched on January 15, but the date was deferred after the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee’s Jathedar summoned Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on that day. As a result, the government decided to postpone the formal launch by one week. Balbir Singh said a trial phase will be conducted before the full rollout to ensure the system is functioning smoothly. He added
police-probe-second-shooting-at-cloverdale-home-amid-surrey-extortion-investigations
CanadaJan 12, 2026

Police probe second shooting at Cloverdale home amid Surrey extortion investigations

Police in Surrey are investigating an early-morning shooting at a Cloverdale residence that left a home damaged but no one hurt. Officers were called shortly after 2:20 a.m. to the 18700 block of 54 Avenue following reports of gunfire in the area. According to police, responding members found evidence that a residence had been struck. No injuries were reported, and occupants were not harmed. The RCMP Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit General Investigation Unit has taken over the case and continues to gather evidence. Investigators say the home was also targeted in a previous shooting o
calgary-police-probe-speed-alcohol-and-drugs-in-fatal-deerfoot-trail-crash
AlbertaJan 12, 2026

Calgary police probe speed, alcohol and drugs in fatal Deerfoot Trail crash

Calgary police are investigating whether speed, alcohol or drugs played a role in a deadly crash on Deerfoot Trail over the weekend that claimed the life of a man in his 50s. Investigators say the man was driving a Nissan Altima southbound on Deerfoot Trail, approaching Glenmore Trail, when the vehicle struck a construction barrier. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. Police say the impact was severe enough that the car’s engine was ejected and landed in an adjacent lane of traffic. Shortly afterward, a second vehicle, a Toyota, struck the engine. The driver of that vehicle was take

Related News