Fort Frances Times Online Edition - March 24, 2020

The fun keeps rolling as individuals and households put up their decorations to take part in the Window Walks that have been ongoing since the province announced the closure of schools following the March Break.

Kim Jo Bliss has been busy this spring, welcoming a new generation of cattle, and a surprise lamb, to her farm. Bliss is a regular contributor to the Fort Frances Times. Read about her musings and adventures in the Rainy River agricultural community, in our Wednesday edition, or online.

TORONTO — Ontario Premier Doug Ford ordered the closure Monday of all non-essential businesses in the province to help curb the spread of COVID-19.

It will take effect Tuesday at 11:59 p.m. and will last for at least 14 days.

“This is not the time for half measures," Ford said. "This decision was not made lightly and the gravity of this order does not escape me.”

OTTAWA — Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer says his party will support emergency efforts to get money to Canadians struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic, but will oppose any “power grab” by the Liberal government.

OTTAWA — Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer says his party will support emergency efforts to get money to Canadians struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic, but will oppose any “power grab” by the Liberal government.

OTTAWA — One in five Canadians weren't taking the deadly COVID-19 pandemic seriously as recently as last weekend, a new poll suggests.

In a Leger poll conducted between Friday and Sunday, 16 per cent of respondents said the crisis was partly blown out of proportion and another four per cent believed it was blown way out of proportion.

TORONTO — As of 11:59 p.m. ET on Tuesday, only businesses deemed essential workplaces will be allowed to remain open in Ontario during the COVID-19 crisis.

Here is a look at categories of workplaces on the essential list:

SUPPLY CHAINS

Businesses that supply other essential businesses with services or support.

RETAIL

The Tokyo Olympics have been postponed a year to 2021 because of the coronavirus outbreak, but it's worth remembering that the games have been rocked by upheaval before.

Three other times, the games were cancelled altogether because of World War I (1916) and World War II (1940 and 1944) - and in those latter two quadrennials, both the Summer and Winter Games were shelved.

1916

The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:

RUGBY

The European club rugby finals in May have been suspended because of the coronavirus outbreak.

Governing body European Professional Club Rugby announced the decision a day after a conference call by the board.

For the first time in 102 years, there will not be a showdown to determine Canada's major junior hockey champion.

The 2020 Memorial Cup has been added to the list of cancelled sporting events in Canada due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Canadian Hockey League calling off the tournament and league playoffs yesterday.

Tonight will see periods of rain or snow with a low of -3 C (27 F).

Tomorrow will be mainly cloudy with a chance of flurries during the day, remaining cloudy overnight with a high of minus-one (30) and a low of minus-nine (16).