Ontario Premier Doug Ford, alongside Health Minister Christine Elliott, announced on Friday that the province would be investing over $741 million as part of its fall preparedness plan to accelerate efforts to reduce surgery backlogs amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The premier said the funds will help support more priority surgeries for patients, extend hours for MRI and diagnostic services and add over 1,400 beds in care spaces for surgeries.

Ford also said the province would be adding up to 18 more pharmacies in southwestern Ontario and Niagara region that would offer COVID-19 testing. Some of the locations will include St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge and London.

The premier responded to questions regarding the province’s announcement that bars, restaurants and food and drink businesses are prohibited from selling alcohol after 11 p.m., saying there were multiple mayors, along with chief medical officers, who were concerned, and that it’s “another step we can put in place that will slow down the spread of COVID.”

Ontario reported 409 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Friday, bringing the provincial total to 48,905.

For more info, please go to https://globalnews.ca/news/7358885/ontario-prohibits-alcohol-sales-11-pm-strip-clubs-close/

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