Grey Bruce Medical Officer of Health Dr. Ian Arra says he’s confident a reopening stage is in the near future for Grey Bruce.
Arra says, “We are seeing the anticipated positive impacts of lockdown – the numbers of new cases reported daily, locally, and provincially are decreasing,” he adds, “If this trend, and the tremendous efforts of our residents and stakeholders continues, I am confident that we will see a shift to a re-opening stage again in the near future.”
The Health Unit says as it stands now, the Province’s Declaration of Emergency made on January 12th with advanced workplace safety measures in place continues until at least February 9th.
The Stay at Home Order is due to expire by the 11th of February if it’s not extended further.
Public Health says “It should also be noted that business restrictions are contained in Reg 82/20 under the
Re-Opening Ontario Act not the Emergency Order. The Act is renewed through Reg. 458/20 which currently states closure restrictions will remain in force until February 19.”
The Health Unit says it is getting requests for clarification regarding the current Ontario Emergency Order, and residents are being asked to visit the Grey Bruce Health Unit website Ontario Declares Second Provincial Emergency to Address COVID-19 and the provincial website Enhancing public health and workplace safety measures in the province wide shutdown for details.
Public Health Grey Bruce says the Provincial regulations are summarized on their website including a dedicated section to explain, in detail, the rules of this lockdown.
The declaration of emergency allows the government to:
-strengthen public health and workplace safety measures
-create and enforce emergency orders
The purpose is to help:
-keep people at home as much as possible and save lives
-stop the spread of COVID-19 in communities
-prevent the hospital system from becoming overwhelmed
-protect vulnerable populations and those who care for them
Public Health notes, the results of these measures will be evaluated throughout the provincial emergency to determine when it is safe to lift any restrictions, or if they need to be extended.