Toronto and montrealThe Ontario and Quebec governments have announced the near-complete shutdown of their provinces’ economies in a bid to halt the spread of the novel coronavirus.Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced plans on Monday for non-essential businesses to close across the province, but said food, medicine and “essential products” would remain available.Urging all Ontarians to stay home, he said the order, issued under the province’s state of emergency powers, would come into effect Tuesday at 11:59 p.m. and last for 14 days, but could be extended if necessary.“This is not the time...…Toronto and montrealThe Ontario and Quebec governments have announced the near-complete shutdown of their provinces’ economies in a bid to halt the spread of the novel coronavirus.Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced plans on Monday for non-essential businesses to close across the province, but said food, medicine and “essential products” would remain available.Urging all Ontarians to stay home, he said the order, issued under the province’s state of emergency powers, would come into effect Tuesday at 11:59 p.m. and last for 14 days, but could be extended if necessary.“This is not the time...WW…

The Ontario government considered plans to issue digital “immunity certificates” to people as they received their vaccinations, handing them a pass that could be stored on their smartphone and potentially checked by long-term care home attendants, employers or airline staff. But the province has not yet decided whether to proceed with the idea.The idea of this kind of “vaccine passport” is being debated around the world, with several countries developing similar plans, including the United States and Britain, which released new details about its proposals on Monday. Other provinces, such as...…The Ontario government considered plans to issue digital “immunity certificates” to people as they received their vaccinations, handing them a pass that could be stored on their smartphone and potentially checked by long-term care home attendants, employers or airline staff. But the province has not yet decided whether to proceed with the idea.The idea of this kind of “vaccine passport” is being debated around the world, with several countries developing similar plans, including the United States and Britain, which released new details about its proposals on Monday. Other provinces, such as...WW…