This is a listing of news stories of the COVID-19 pandemic as relevant to the bereavement sector. This archive started in March 2020 and ended in October 2021. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Oct. 25 \u2013 Government of Ontario \u2013 Ontario Releases Plan to Safely Reopen Ontario and Manage COVID-19 for the Long-Term<\/a> Sept. 14 \u2013 Government of Ontario \u2013<\/a> June 7 \u2013 Government of Ontario \u2013 Ontario to Move to<\/a> May 20 \u2013 Government of Ontario \u2013 Ontario Releases<\/a> April 16 \u2013 Government of Ontario \u2013 Strengthens Enforcement of Stay-at-Home Order<\/a> April 7 \u2013 Government of Ontario \u2013 Enacts Provincial Emergency<\/a> April 2 \u2013 Standard-Freeholder \u2013 Bereavement authority revokes licences for Cornwall funeral director<\/a> April 1 \u2013 Government of Ontario \u2013 Provincewide Emergency Brake: Feb. 26 \u2013 Government of Ontario \u2013 Thunder Bay and Simcoe-Muskoka moved into Grey-Lockdown<\/a> Jan. 21 \u2013 Postmedia \u2013 Death response plan from BAO addresses rising COVID-19 toll<\/a> Jan. 7, 2021 \u2013 Standard-Freeholder \u2013 Ontario bereavement authority: sector not at risk of over-capacity<\/a> Dec. 21 \u2013 Government of Ontario \u2013 Provincewide Shutdown<\/a> \u2013 As COVID-19 cases continue to rise at an alarming rate, the Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and other health experts, is imposing a Provincewide Shutdown<\/a> starting Dec. 26.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nov. 27 \u2013 Government of Ontario COVID-19 Response Framework<\/a> \u2013 Here is the province\u2019s colour code of restrictions, which change with the state of the pandemic in public health unit zones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nov. 13 \u2013 CBC \u2013 Marketplace tested over 20 different masks. Here\u2019s what will best protect you and others during the pandemic<\/a> Nov. 4 \u2013 The Standard \u2013 2020 a hard year for Niagara funeral homes, grieving families<\/a> Nov. 3 \u2013 TVO \u2013 Ontario unveils new colour-coded COVID-19 control system<\/a> Oct. 16 \u2013 Government of Ontario \u2013 York Region placed in modified Stage 2<\/a> Oct. 15 \u2013 BBC \u2013 Coronavirus: France reports more than 30,000 new infections<\/a> Oct. 9 \u2013 Government of Ontario \u2013 Ontario Implementing Additional Public Health Measures in Toronto, Ottawa and Peel Region<\/a> July 29 \u2013 Government of Ontario: Ontario Moving Toronto and Peel Region into Stage 3<\/a> July 26 \u2013 Toronto Sun \u2013 Saying goodbye in the time of COVID<\/a> July 20 \u2013 Government of Ontario \u2013 Ontario Moving More Regions into Stage 3<\/a> July 13 \u2013 Government of Ontario \u2013 <\/a>Nearly all businesses and public spaces to reopen in Stage 3<\/a> June 17 \u2013 Government of Ontario \u2013 Extends Emergency Orders<\/a> May 6 \u2013 Toronto Star \u2013 PPE fees for cost recovery only<\/a> April 27 \u2013 Maclean\u2019s \u2013 How grieving has changed during coronavirus: A funeral director\u2019s experience<\/a> April 10 \u2013 The Globe and Mail \u2013<\/a> \u2018Plan for the worst and hope for the best\u2019: Canada\u2019s funeral industry<\/a> April 5 \u2013 CTV News \u2013 April 3 \u2013 Ontario Government \u2013 April 2 \u2013 Ottawa Citizen \u2013<\/a> April 1 \u2013 Muslim Link \u2013 April 1 \u2013 Owen Sound Sun Times \u2013 March 29 \u2013 Toronto Star \u2013 Follow the rules<\/a> March 28 \u2013 Ontario Government \u2013 Ontario prohibits gatherings of 5 or more<\/a> March 27 \u2013 Huffington Post \u2013 Funerals during the corona pandemic<\/a> March 24 \u2013 Ontario Government: Electricity relief, small businesses<\/a> March 23 \u2013 Ontario Government: Workplaces<\/a> March 22 \u2013 The Ottawa Citizen: Precautions, industry impacts<\/a> March 20 \u2013 National Post: Access to masks<\/a>
\u2026In response to continued improvements to key indicators, including ongoing stability in the province\u2019s hospitals, effective October 25, 2021 at 12:01 a.m., Ontario will lift capacity limits, including physical distancing requirements, in the vast majority of settings where proof of vaccination are required\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ontario Releasing Guidance to Support Proof of Vaccination Policy<\/a>
\u2026Today the government released the regulations<\/a> and guidance<\/a> for businesses and organizations to support them in implementing proof of vaccination requirements<\/a>, which take effect on September 22, 2021.
July 9 \u2013 Government of Ontario \u2013<\/a>
Ontario Moving to Step Three of Roadmap to Reopen on July 16<\/a>
\u2026Step Three of the Roadmap focuses on the resumption of additional indoor services with larger numbers of people and restrictions in place. This includes, but is not limited to:\u2026Indoor religious services, rites or ceremonies, including wedding services and funeral services permitted with physical distancing;\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step One of Roadmap to Reopen on June 11<\/a>
Improvements in Key Indicators Allowing Province to Begin the Safe and Gradual Lifting of Public Health Measures<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Three-Step Roadmap to Safely Reopen the Province<\/a>
The Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, has released its Roadmap to Reopen<\/a>, a three-step plan to safely and cautiously reopen the province and gradually lift public health measures based on the provincewide vaccination rate and improvements in key public health and health care indicators. In response to recent improvements to these indicators, Ontario will allow more outdoor recreational amenities to reopen, with restrictions in place, effective May 22, 2021 at 12:01 a.m\u2026Based on current trends in key health indicators, including the provincial vaccination rate, the government expects to enter Step One of the Roadmap the week of June 14, 2021. The province will confirm closer to the expected start of Step One.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026In addition, effective Monday, April 19, 2021 at 12:01 a.m., the government is limiting the capacity of weddings, funerals, and religious services, rites or ceremonies to 10 people indoors or outdoors. Social gatherings associated with these services such as receptions are prohibited, except for with members of the same household or one other person from outside that household who lives alone. Drive-in services will be permitted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
and Stay-at-Home Order<\/a>
The Ontario government\u2026is immediately declaring a third provincial emergency\u2026These measures are being taken in response to the rapid increase in COVID-19 transmission, the threat on the province\u2019s hospital system capacity, and the increasing risks posed to the public by COVID-19 variants\u2026Effective Thursday, April 8, 2021 at 12:01 a.m., the government is issuing a province-wide Stay-at-Home order requiring everyone to remain at home except for essential purposes,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Bereavement Authority of Ontario has revoked the licences of funeral director Bonnie Parker, Parker Funeral Home Ltd. in Morrisburg, and at McArthur Bros. & MacNeil Funeral Home and Chapel in Cornwall. David Brazeau, the BAO communications manager\u2026said the BAO \u201csuspends and revokes licences to protect grieving families \u2014 this occurs several times a year across the province, when needed.\u2019\u2019 But, it\u2019s a fairly rare occurrence considering there are thousands of individual licensees and business licences across Ontario.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All 34 Public Health Unit Regions to Move into Shutdown<\/em><\/a>
\u2026\u201dWe are facing a serious situation and drastic measures are required to contain the rapid spread of the virus, especially the new variants of concern,\u201d said Premier Ford\u2026Ontario\u2019s key indicators and latest modelling show that additional measures must be taken. From March 26 to 28, 2021, provincial case rates have increased by 7.7 per cent to 101.1 cases per 100,000 people\u2026COVID-19 related ICU admissions are projected to exceed 650 beds in a few weeks. These increases are being driven by COVID-19 variants, which are transmitted easily and result in a higher risk of death and hospitalization, including in younger populations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nine Public Health Regions Moving to New Levels in the COVID-19 Response Framework<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Modified Expedited Death Response (MEDR) Plan was issued last week and is effective immediately, and applies to all regions of the province, with the exception of some communities and areas in northern and western Ontario. Part of the plan, in a Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO) news release, has funeral\/transfer staff required to attend at hospitals and long-term care (LTC) facilities within six hours of being advised the decedent is ready for release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The bereavement sector\u2019s ability to professionally care for those who have died during the pandemic remains strong and is not at risk of exceeding capacity in Ontario.<\/p>\n\n\n\n2020<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
Wearing a mask is critical to reducing the spread of COVID-19, but rigorous tests conducted on behalf of CBC\u2019s Marketplace found that while some work very well, others offer little protection from the particles that transmit the novel coronavirus\u2026Top Performers \u2013 3-layer masks\u2026 More<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026Recently, the Bereavement Authority of Ontario, an arm of the provincial government that regulates the funeral industry, waived licence renewal fees for a year. \u201cThe BAO\u2019s licensees have shown leadership in continuing to provide uninterrupted professional, safe and caring services to families across the province during COVID-19 pandemic measures,\u201d said the agency\u2019s chief executive officer Carey Smith\u2026It was welcome recognition for what his industry has gone through, says George Darte (funeral home operator in St. Catharines). \u201cI know most people don\u2019t understand our world \u2026 but we do know what we do, and we have had a number of our families thank us as well,\u201d he says\u2026He has talked with funeral home operators in the U.S., which has 11 times the population of Canada, but 23 times more COVID deaths. More<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The province is abandoning its \u201cStage 2\/Stage 3\u201d framework and adopting a colour-coded one that it hopes will allow for faster and more targeted responses. Read the full plan here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n2020<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Effective Monday, October 19, 2020 at 12:01 a.m., York Region will join Ottawa, Peel and Toronto public health regions in a modified Stage 2, as a result of their trends in public health indicators, including higher than average rates of COVID-19 transmission. More<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
France has reported a large jump in new Covid-19 cases ahead of a night-time curfew being imposed on Paris and eight other cities on Saturday. A further 30,621 infections were confirmed on Thursday, up from 22,591 the day before. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that tough restrictions are \u201cabsolutely necessary\u201d to save lives. Millions in Europe have been told they must live under strict new measures as governments battle a second wave. More<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Government Taking Further Steps to Support Small Business in these Hotspots. More<\/a>
Sept. 28 \u2013 Government of Ontario \u2013 Ontario Investing $52.5 Million to Recruit, Retain and Support More Health Care Workers<\/a>
The Ontario government is investing $52.5 million to recruit, retain and support over 3,700 more frontline health care workers and caregivers to ensure our health care system can meet any surge in demand, while continuing to provide safe and high-quality care to patients and long-term care residents. This investment is part of the province\u2019s COVID-19 fall preparedness plan, Keeping Ontarians Safe: Preparing for Future Waves of COVID-19. More<\/a>
Sept. 17 \u2013 Government of Ontario \u2013 Lower Limits for Unmonitored and Private Social Gatherings in Ottawa, Peel and Toronto Regions<\/a>
In consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, local medical officers of health and local municipal leaders, the Ontario government has amended order O. Reg 364\/20: Rules for Areas in Stage 3 under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020, setting a new limit reducing the number of people permitted to attend unmonitored social gatherings and organized public events in three regions experiencing higher rates of transmission of COVID-19. This includes functions, parties, dinners, gatherings, BBQs or wedding receptions held in private residences, backyards, parks and other recreational areas. (Funeral services are not mentioned.) More<\/a>
Aug. 23 \u2013 Bloomberg \u2013 Italy Lockdown Success Challenged by New Europe Virus Surge <\/a>
After suffering one of Europe\u2019s earliest and fiercest outbreaks, Italy emerged as an unlikely role model for its handling of the pandemic\u2026As cases flare in Europe \u2014 many linked to young travelers returning from summer holidays \u2014 Italy\u2019s success may now be in jeopardy\u2026The intensity and duration of Italy\u2019s lockdown is widely seen as one of the reasons why cases continued to fall after curbs started to be gradually lifted in early May. Restrictions were maintained for a full six weeks after new infections peaked, and schools never reopened unlike in France or Germany\u2026Images such as those of army trucks loaded with coffins in the northern city of Bergamo started circulating at the height of the infection in March, and played a role in driving home the gravity of the situation. More <\/a>
Aug. 10 \u2013 Government of Ontario \u2013 Windsor-Essex to Join the Rest of Province in Stage 3<\/a>
On the advice of the Chief Medical Officer Health and the local medical officer of health, Windsor-Essex will be allowed to move into Stage 3 on Wednesday, August 12, 2020 at 12:01 a.m. More<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Additional businesses and public spaces will be reopening as the Ontario government allows the City of Toronto and Peel Region to move into Stage 3 of reopening the province on Friday, July 31 at 12:01 a.m. More<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026The early weeks of the pandemic were a nightmare of trying to cope with a death when the whole world was shut down \u2014 no places of worship, no contact with friends for support, no traditional funeral possible.\u2026Verburg credits the Bereavement Authority of Ontario<\/strong>, the government body that oversees the profession, for guiding everyone through this. More<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Ontario government is allowing seven more regions to enter Stage 3 on Friday, increasing the number of businesses and public spaces that will reopen across the province\u2026The following regions will remain in Stage 2 until local trends of key public health indicators demonstrate readiness to move into Stage 3: Peel Public Health; Toronto Public Health; and Windsor-Essex County Health Unit. More<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Ontario government announced nearly all businesses and public spaces will reopen in Stage 3 of the province\u2019s reopening framework with public health and workplace safety measures and restrictions in place\u2026
New Gathering Limits: <\/strong>(with physical distancing)
\u2013 Indoor gathering limits will increase to a maximum of 50 people.
\u2013 Outdoor gathering limits will increase to a maximum of 100 people
\u2026gathering limits apply to higher risk settings and activities where people congregate, including\u2026parties, fundraisers, fairs, wedding receptions, funeral receptions<\/strong>\u2026People gathering indoors for religious services, rites or ceremonies, and wedding ceremonies or funeral services<\/strong>, can continue to fill up to 30 per cent of the capacity of the particular room, as introduced in Stage 2. (Outdoor funeral services can have a maximum of 100 people in attendance.) More<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Ontario government has extended all emergency orders currently in force under s.7.0.2 (4) of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. This extension will be in effect until June 30, 2020 to ensure the government continues to have the necessary tools to safely and gradually reopen the province, while continuing to support frontline health care workers and protect vulnerable populations from COVID-19. More<\/a>
June 8 \u2013 Government of Ontario \u2013 More Businesses and Services to Reopen in the Coming Days<\/a>
\u2026Effective Friday, June 12, 2020 at 12:01 a.m., the province will increase the limit on social gatherings from five to 10 people across the province, regardless of whether a region has moved to Stage 2. Additionally, all places of worship in Ontario will also be permitted to open with physical distancing in place and attendance limited to no more than 30 per cent of the building capacity to ensure the safety of worshippers. More<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUse of PPE or any other COVID fee must be itemized for families to see and understand,\u201d said (the BAO<\/strong>\u2018s David) Brazeau. \u201cFuneral homes and transfer services did not previously have a standard way of showing this in contracts with consumers. The notice we issued provides them with a standard way of doing this.\u201d More<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026All churches have since been closed and the Bereavement Authority of Ontario has instructed that during the COVID-19 pandemic, all funeral activities, whether inside a funeral home or outside at a cemetery, are now limited to 10 people in total. In Nova Scotia, the maximum is five people. In Newfoundland, because they can trace most of the province\u2019s COVID-19 cases to a funeral visitation that happened in March, the chief medical officer of health ordered a complete provincial ban on funerals and wakes. More<\/a>
April 21 \u2013 CBC \u2013 Coroner orders sweeping changes to avoid \u2018sad scenes\u2019 like those in Italy, U.S.<\/a>
Ontario\u2019s chief coroner says the COVID-19 pandemic is forcing his office to make major changes to how hospitals and funeral homes deal with the dead\u2026(Dr. Dirk) Huyer said the goal is to move \u201ceverything more quickly\u201d as the coronavirus continues to reap its deadly toll in the province\u2019s hospitals and nursing homes\u2026\u201dWe are not going to see the scenes that we\u2019ve seen in Italy, or in the United States, in other parts of the world, where loved ones, the bodies of loved ones, are in essence being stockpiled in arenas and community centres and so on. And that\u2019s not going to happen here because of the proactive measures we\u2019ve put in place,\u201d (the BAO<\/strong>\u2018s) Brazeau said. More<\/a>
April 15 \u2013 Ottawa Sun \u2013 Crematoriums ordered to be ready to run \u2018all day, every day\u2019<\/a>
The Bereavement Authority of Ontario<\/strong>, the agency that licenses and regulates funeral homes, crematoriums and cemeteries, issued the directive earlier this month as part of its wide-ranging response to COVID-19. \u201cAll crematoriums in Ontario must be ready to operate all day, every day, seven days a week,\u201d said the order signed by bereavement authority chief executive Carey Smith. More<\/a>
April 14 \u2013 CTV Ottawa \u2013<\/a> New rules for Ontario funeral homes during the COVID-19 pandemic<\/a>
Under the new rules, a funeral home will need to pick-up the body of a deceased loved one from a hospital within an hour of being contacted, and within three hours from a long-term care facility. This is to prevent a back-log at the facilities during the pandemic. More<\/a>
April 14 \u2013 Ontario Government \u2013 Declaration of Emergency extended to May 12<\/a>
The extension of the provincial declaration of emergency allows Ontario to continue to enforce current emergency orders, such as the closure of all non-essential workplaces, outdoor amenities such as parks and recreational areas, public places and bars and restaurants, as well as restrictions on social gatherings of more than five people, and prohibitions against price-gouging. More<\/a>
April 13 \u2013 Ontario Government <\/a>\u2013 Ontario Secures Critical Medical Equipment & Supplies<\/a>
The Ontario government continues to ensure that patients, frontline health care workers and first responders have the critical equipment and supplies they need to protect themselves during the COVID-19 outbreak. Over the last five days, more than 13 million surgical and procedural masks, 200,000 N95 respirator masks, and 38 ventilators have been delivered to Ontario\u2019s pandemic stockpile warehouses. More<\/a>
April 11 \u2013 Ontario Government \u2013 Province Extends Emergency Orders until April 23<\/a>
To help stop the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health and safety of people across the province, the Ontario government has extended all emergency orders that have been put in place\u2026
Prohibition<\/strong>
1. Subject to subsection (3), no person shall attend<\/strong>,
(a) an organized public event of more than five people<\/strong>, including a parade;
(b) a social gathering of more than five people; or
(c) a gathering of more than five people for the purposes of conducting religious services, rites or ceremonies\u2026
Subsection (1) does not apply to<\/strong> the following:
A gathering of members of a single household.
A gathering for the purposes of a funeral service<\/strong> that is attended by
not more than 10 persons<\/strong>. O. Reg. 99\/20, s. 3. More<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Contingency plans are being made across the country to avoid the fate of places like New York, where mass graves on public land are being considered to accommodate the deceased\u2026David Brazeau, the communications manager with the Bereavement Authority of Ontario<\/strong>, said that\u2019s not going to happen in the province, because the industry has been taking steps to avoid this for weeks\u2026Families are being encouraged to proceed with disposition, meaning burials or cremation, as soon as possible. More<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Anxiety grows in N.L. as 75% of COVID-19 cases traced to one funeral home<\/a>
Contact tracing by public health officials had linked 143 known cases to the funeral home cluster as of Friday, about 75 per cent of the provincial total. Among them are health-care workers and mail carriers. More<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ontario Extends Business Closures to Stop the Spread of COVID-19<\/a>
The bereavement sector is included in the pared-down essential workplaces list<\/a>
\u201c#9 Funeral and related services<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Essential-services designation a potential safety boost for funeral services industry during pandemic<\/a>
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to restrictions on attendance at funeral services, with Ontario limiting such gatherings to 10 people not including staff, and a directive from the Bereavement Authority of Ontario, a not-for-profit regulator, calls for two metres distance between attendees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BAO Recommendations on Conducting
Muslim Funeral Services During COVID-19<\/a>
The BAO is seeking your cooperation and strongly urges the Muslim community to only use licensed professionals to assist with transportation of the body and preparation of the body including cleansing and casketing.
More<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
COVID-19 restrictions impacting funeral services<\/a>
Funeral director John McGlynn says he empathizes with those families who are mourning a loved one\u2019s death but must postpone the usual services or celebrations of life because of gathering restrictions precipitated by the COVID-19 pandemic\u2026The province recently banned gatherings of more than five people, but said funerals can proceed with up to 10 people at a time. The Bereavement Authority of Ontario says that number must be even lower if the room cannot allow people to maintain physical distancing of at least two metres from one other at all times\u2026 McGlynn \u2013 who, along with his wife Sandy, purchased the Brian E. Wood Funeral Home on Nov. 1 \u2013 said no public visitations or funeral services are currently being held at the funeral home. As a result, about a dozen part-time employees have been laid off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026The funeral and bereavement industry had already introduced more stringent rules by limiting on-site attendance to 10 or fewer people, not counting funeral staff, said David Brazeau, communications manager with Bereavement Authority of Ontario\u2026 Allan Cole, owner and president of MacKinnon and Bowes Ltd., said \u2026 \u201cI think you\u2019re seeing scaled-back versions of simple ceremonies \u2026 with very, very few family members are present,\u201d but that still reflect \u201cthe dignity and appropriateness, given the current challenges we\u2019re facing.\u201d More<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stronger action required to stop the spread of COVID-19 \u2013 \u2026Funerals <\/strong>would be permitted to proceed with up to 10 people<\/strong> at one time.. More<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The BAO released a guide for Muslim-Canadians<\/a> who may want to wash the dead that includes COVID-19 prevention tips. More<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
To support Ontarians through the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation, the Government of Ontario is providing immediate electricity rate relief for families, small businesses and farms paying time-of-use (TOU) rates. More<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Due to the evolving COVID-19 situation, the Ontario government will be ordering at-risk workplaces to close-down, while encouraging businesses to explore opportunities to continue operations through work-from-home and innovative business models. List of Essential Workplaces<\/a>, which are not closing \u2013 \u201c#66 \u2013 Businesses providing funeral, mortician, cremation, transfer, and burial services, and any related goods and products (such as coffins and embalming fluid);\u201d More<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The BAO continues to remind funeral professionals to follow their precautions and wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). More<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The BAO\u2019s CEO\/Registrar Carey Smith said, \u201cThere is no known risk associated with being in the same room as a COVID-19 deceased, but of course, embalmers doing preparation activities have risks associated with that, and they have to take measures to protect themselves.\u201d More<\/a>
Index<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"This is a listing of news stories of the COVID-19 pandemic as relevant to the bereavement sector. This archive started in March 2020 and ended in October 2021. 2021 Oct. 25 \u2013 Government of Ontario \u2013 Ontario Releases Plan to Safely Reopen Ontario and Manage COVID-19 for the Long-Term\u2026In response to continued improvements to key indicators,…","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1271","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news-article"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n