8.48°C Vancouver

May 7, 2020 7:30 PM -

Dr. Theresa Tam: Going to a cottage or a second home can be a bad idea

Share On
dr-theresa-tam-going-to-a-cottage-or-a-second-home-can-be-a-bad-idea
Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada's Chief Public Health Officer, speaks during a press conference on Parliament Hill during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ottawa on Wednesday, May 6, 2020. Tam says a COVID-19 outbreak gripping the northern Saskatchewan community of La Loche is an area of concern.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Dr. Theresa Tam says it's a bad idea to go to a cottage or a second home if you risk straining local health resources.

Rules and advice on how to apply that will vary from province to province and situation to situation, though.

In Ontario, for instance, Premier Doug Ford has called on people who own cottages not to leave city homes for them over the upcoming Victoria Day weekend, after previously saying he thought it might be OK.

Tam says part of the concern is about spreading the virus that causes COVID-19, and part is about simply having too many people heading to places that don't have the local hospital capacity to treat them if they got sick.



(Millionth test for COVID-19 conducted)



Dr. Theresa Tam says Canada has conducted its millionth test for COVID-19, and about six per cent of the people tested have been confirmed as positive cases.

Nearly half of those who tested positive are considered recovered at this point, but more than 4,000 people have died of the illness.

The country's chief public health officer says mental health is a growing concern amid the pandemic, but one thing that helps many people is feeling as though they're helping and making a difference.

For children, she says being creative and cheering people up with art can achieve that.

Latest news

surrey-mayor-b-c-conservative-leader-express-condolences-after-tumbler-ridge-tragedy
BCFeb 11, 2026

Surrey mayor, B.C. Conservative leader express condolences after Tumbler Ridge tragedy

Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke has expressed condolences following a tragic incident in Tumbler Ridge that has shaken communities across British Columbia. In a public statement, Locke said residents of Surrey stand in solidarity with the victims and their families during what she described as an extremely difficult time. “My thoughts are with the families in Tumbler Ridge who are facing this unimaginable loss,” Locke said, adding that the incident has deeply affected people across the province. She noted that Surrey, as one of B.C.’s largest cities, shares in the grief being felt in the north
alberta-premier-expresses-condolences-after-deadly-shooting-at-tumbler-ridge-secondary-school
AlbertaFeb 11, 2026

Alberta premier expresses condolences after deadly shooting at Tumbler Ridge secondary school

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has expressed condolences following a deadly shooting at a secondary school in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, that left 10 people dead, including the alleged gunman. In a public statement, Smith said her thoughts are with the students, staff and families affected, adding that Alberta stands with the entire Tumbler Ridge community during what she described as an unimaginable tragedy. According to the BC RCMP, officers responded to reports of shots fired at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School at approximately 1:20 p.m. Police said six people were pronounced dead at th
federal-flags-lowered-for-seven-days-to-honour-victims-of-b-c-mass-shooting
BCFeb 11, 2026

Federal flags lowered for seven days to honour victims of B.C. mass shooting

Prime Minister Mark Carney has ordered flags on all federal buildings and institutions to be flown at half-mast for seven days following a deadly mass shooting in northeastern British Columbia that left 10 people dead, including the suspect. The attacks took place Tuesday in the small community of Tumbler Ridge. According to the RCMP, the suspect is believed to have first killed two people at a private residence before going to a local school, where several others were shot in what police have described as one of the most serious mass shootings in recent Canadian history. Investigators have sa
high-court-told-no-provision-for-virtual-participation-in-lok-sabha-amid-amritpal-singh-parole-plea
IndiaFeb 11, 2026

High Court told no provision for virtual participation in Lok Sabha amid Amritpal Singh parole plea

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday heard a petition related to Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh seeking permission to participate in the ongoing Budget Session of Parliament. During the proceedings, the court was informed that the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha do not contain any provision allowing a Member of Parliament to attend or participate in House proceedings through virtual means. The submission was made as part of arguments concerning Singh’s request for relief that would enable him to take part in parliamentary proceedings. The court observed that
AlbertaFeb 11, 2026

AFN national chief says Alberta separation cannot proceed without First Nations consent

The national chief of the Assembly of First Nations says any attempt by Alberta to separate from Canada would require the consent of First Nations and cannot proceed without respecting treaty rights. Speaking Tuesday at an AFN conference in Calgary, Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak described the province’s separatist movement as illegitimate and unconstitutional. She said Canada is founded on treaties between the Crown and First Nations, and those agreements would remain in force regardless of provincial political movements. “Canada is treaty territory,” Woodhouse Nepinak told delegates. “First

Related News