After promising to dramatically increase COVID-19 testing, the province has improved its capacity saying its ahead of its target of 16,000 per day. Premier Doug Ford says by May 1, there were more than 17,000 per day which he says leads the country in daily testing capacity. To date, 342,000 tests have been completed in the province. As a result, Ford says it paves the way for some additional businesses to reopen but didn’t offer details other than to say good news is on the way. “Retail, start prepping, no matter if its three, weeks, four weeks or two, start prepping and getting masks ready,” said Ford. “It’s coming, it’s inevitable.”

The Premier says he’s spoken with Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland about the need for a national plan on contact tracing of COVID-19, something the premiers will discuss later in the week.

Meantime, the Ford government is also considering COVID – FREE hospitals, to free up space for surgeries, that were postponed due to the pandemic.

While some provinces are allowing for small family gatherings after extended time apart due to self isolation , Ford says Ontario is not yet ready. “If I knew the exact date, honestly I’d be telling you in 10 seconds up here but none of us knows the exact date,” Ford told reporters.

The Premier also hinted at good news for cottagers for Victoria Day, saying there’s only so long you hold taxpayers back.