Friday has proven to be a big day for COVID-19 news in Ontario, with numerous major changes slated to be put into effect to help curb accelerating transmission as new case numbers in the provincespike over 900for the first time since the health crisis began.

The latest stats revealing 939 new infectionswere leaked to news outletsbefore they were officially released on theprovince's dedicated webpagethis morning, as was the fact that Premier Doug Fordcalled an emergency cabinet meetingto discuss re-implementing some restrictions from Stage 2 of reopening in at least a part of the province.

According to sources, the hotspots of Toronto, Ottawa and Peel will be the targets of further measures as soon as 12:01 a.m. on Saturday — somethingsome health officialsresidents of more rural areashave been calling for.

In an amended version of Stage 2, the three regions will see indoor dining at bars and restaurants banned once more, and gyms, movie theatres and casions shuttered. If passed by cabinet today, the new rules are expected to last at least 28 days as community spread andICU admissionrise in the urban centres.

Theses were among the recommendations made by Dr. David Williams

— Richard Southern (@richard680news)October 9, 2020

More than one-third of recent community outbreaks in Toronto specificallyhave been linked to bars and restaurants, with popular establishments likeYonge Street Warehouse,Sotto SottoandRegulars Baramong those who havepublicly confirmed infectionsamong staff (though not required to by law).

Selectretail storesandgymshave also seen new cases, with speculation that some businessesmay not be strictly adhering to health and safety protocols.

Toronto, Ottawa, Peel moving back to stage 2 and closing restaurants, bars, gyms, cinemas and alike.

Actual photo of Kingston Ontario right now.#ygkpic.twitter.com/mFQ2Z2Sj41

— Rodney (@RodKahx)October 9, 2020

Friday morning, the citysuspended all indoor recreational programming, which follows Ford's decision to lower capacity limitsfor gymsand hospitality settings in Toronto, Peel and Ottawa.

The province also closed strip clubs, introduced a hard 11 p.m last call and midnight closefor bars and restaurants,nixed social circles, decreasedthe caps for social gatheringsandextended mandatory maskingto all areas of the province in recent days in an attempt to mitigate the virus's spread.

Still, officials such as Toronto Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa are calling for far more stringent measures, includingonly permitting residents to leave the house for essential trips.

I guess someone finally showed@fordnationthe "hard evidence" if he will be closing indoor dining and gyms in Toronto, Peel Region and Ottawa.#onpoli

— Mr. Panetta (@MRPanetta11)October 9, 2020

The flurry of updates comes as the economy reels and small businessesbeg to be allowed to continue operationsafter months of pandemic closuresthat pushed many into financial ruin.