OTTAWA --
Ottawa's top doctor says the four-week shutdown is "definitely needed" in the capital to reduce the spread of COVID-19, and she hopes this is the last shutdown during the pandemic.
"This is different this time because we have the vaccination program that's started," said Dr. Vera Etches, Ottawa's medical officer of health.
"What's already happened is we have people in long-term care homes and retirement homes that are well protected and that protection is extending into the community."
Ontario is pulling its "emergency brake" in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19 variants. Premier Doug Ford said the four-week shutdown in all 34 public health regions will begin at 12:01 a.m. Saturday.