Ford Backtracks on New Police COVID-19 Powers Amid Intense Backlash

Ford Backtracks on New Police COVID-19 Powers Amid Intense Backlash
Ontario Premier Doug Ford attends a meeting of the premiers in Montreal on Dec. 7, 2018. Martin Ouellet-Diotte/AFP via Getty Images
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TORONTO—Furious criticism of new anti-pandemic powers that allow police in Ontario to stop any motorist or pedestrian and ask where they live and why they’re not home prompted the provincial government on Saturday to reconsider the measures.

As the number of infected people in hospital reached record levels, Premier Doug Ford tweeted that the measures, which also included shutting down all outdoor recreational facilities and playgrounds, would be clarified.