Breaking: Ontario Government reverses its decision on fans attending Game 7 in Toronto.

The Ontario Government has seemingly reversed their position regarding having fans attend Game 7 between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the National Hockey League's Stanley Cup Playoffs.

According to a breaking news announcement from Laura Stone of the Globe and Mail, Ontario Premier Doug Ford will now allow 550 fully vaccinated front line health care workers to attend the game. Here's what the Premier had to say on the matter:

"Following discussions with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, Toronto Public Health and hospital partners, I am happy to announce that they have signed off on allowing 550 full vaccinated frontline health care workers, including hospital and long-term care staff, to be invited to attend Game 7 of the series between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens at Scotiabank Arena tonight.

This is well below the arena’s capacity. With these health care workers having received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine at least two weeks ago, and with precautionary measures in place like screening, masking, distancing, enhanced cleaning and crowd control, public health officials are confident we can put these special fans in the stands safely and with minimal risk.

Every single day our health care workers put their lives on the line to help others. This small token of appreciation doesn’t measure up to the sacrifices they’ve made during COVID-19, but it is an opportunity for us to recognize their heroic efforts to keep each and every one of us safe. It also shows that the more of us who get vaccinated, the faster we can return to doing the things we miss.

I want to thank Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) for covering the cost of allowing these health care workers to attend tonight’s game and Scotiabank for providing jerseys to each of them. There’s nothing Team Ontario can’t do when we are all working together and I can’t think of a better way to support the Blue and White in this crucial game than having our health care heroes cheer them on in person. Go Leafs go!"

This is a drastic turn of events as just yesterday there was a clear report suggesting that the plan presented to the Ontario government would not have time to be approved in time for today's Game 7.

"The Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health reviewed and approved the NHL’s return-to-play plan for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators. The return-to-play plan includes rigorous health and safety protocols developed to ensure the safety of players, staff, their families, and the community," said Dakota Braiser of the government's initial decision. "At this time, no spectators are allowed to attend games in-person."

"The province will continue to follow the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, other health experts and local public health to determine when and if it is safe for measures to be lifted based off the Roadmap to Reopen."

On Sunday we reported on comments made by Toronto Mayor John Tory that suggested he would have given serious consideration to allowing the front line healthcare workers to attend, both to provide the Leafs with an extra boost while also rewarding those who have put their lives on the line during this pandemic, and I do wonder if his comments may have influenced today's decision from the Ford government.

No doubt both of these moves, both Tory's comments and Ford's decision on Monday, are politically motivated but if it results in something positive for the people of Toronto I will take it. It is great news for the Toronto Maple Leafs, the healthcare workers who will be given the green light to attend, and for fans in general who can now see this as a first step to returning to live events in the city.