The looming prospect of a second wave of COVID-19 this fall has governments cautiously monitoring daily infection rates as economies restart and students return to school.

A widespread return of economic and social restrictions that closed businesses and schools and cancelled public events in March is not the preferred option, but there may be no choice, say politicians and health officials.

B次元官网网址淭he last thing that anyone wants is to have to once again shut down our economies and suspend our lives to try and counter a massive second wave,B次元官网网址� Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said last week.

He stressed public vigilance to fight the pandemic, frequent hand washing, mask wearing and physical distancing, because B次元官网网址渁s weB次元官网网址檙e seeing with cases rising across the country, we are not out of the woods.B次元官网网址�

Winnipeg epidemiologist Cynthia Carr said Canadians should brace for more restrictions and shutdowns if COVID-19 cases continue to rise, even without the arrival of a second wave.

B次元官网网址淭here could still be a large increase in cases related to behaviour and that gives government opportunity to go, B次元官网网址極K, what are we going to change now to get the transmission back under control?B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 where government will need to focus.B次元官网网址�

B.C. ordered the immediate closure of nightclubs and banquet halls last week after daily COVID-19 case numbers were consistently above 100, with many infections traced to young people out socializing at events where alcohol was served.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry also ordered bars, pubs, lounges and restaurants to cut off alcohol sales at 10 p.m. and close by 11 p.m., unless serving only food.

Henry said she took B次元官网网址渄raconianB次元官网网址� measures in March to slow infections, and closing nightclubs and halls is a necessary step now.

B次元官网网址淚 think we need to all start rethinking about what we need to do to get us through the next few months as a community together, and these are some of the things that weB次元官网网址檒l need to put aside for now,B次元官网网址� she said at a news conference.

Last week in Quebec, the government said police can hand out tickets ranging between $400 and $6,000 to those who donB次元官网网址檛 have a face covering in indoor public spaces or on public transit.

The province also announced several measures in addition to the fines, including the banning of karaoke and obliging bars to keep registers of clients as infection numbers rise.

Carr said other public health officials will look at increasing restrictions to limit COVID-19 transmission.

B次元官网网址淭he more opportunity you give the virus to spread again, the more it will take that opportunity,B次元官网网址� she said.

Carr, a private consultant who advises governments and communities on health policy, said the arrival of a second wave of COVID-19 will cause widespread fear because it signals the virus has changed its behaviour.

B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 where the scariest parts are,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚f the virus starts to mutate and become different and impact, for example, much younger people significantly.B次元官网网址�

But Carr said increasing restrictions are inevitable in a second wave or uptick in COVID-19 cases.

READ MORE:

Economics professor James Brander said politicians and health officials should carefully weigh the impact of imposing more restrictions or shutdowns on the economy in the event of a second wave or increasing infection rates.

B次元官网网址淲hat you want is the low hanging fruit,B次元官网网址� said the public policy expert at the University of British ColumbiaB次元官网网址檚 Sauder School of Business.

Governments were too harsh on the economy in March and with hindsight should now consider more targeted restriction options, including shutting down bars, preventing large gatherings and requiring more aggressive mask-wearing policies, Brander said.

Carr said pandemic control involves juggling three areas: health, the economy and social well-being.

B次元官网网址淭he best decision is typically related back to controlling as much as possible the transmission so that economies can get back to thriving and that people can maintain social well-being.B次元官网网址�

Dirk Meissner, The Canadian Press

Like us on and follow us on .

Want to support local journalism? Make a donation