The Grey Bruce Public Health Unit. (Matt Hermiz/Bayshore Broadcasting)
Public Health says Grey Bruce is clear to move into a full Step 3 of reopening Thursday, August 5th.
A release says, “The Grey Bruce Health Unit, in collaboration with partners and the community, has been successful in bringing COVID-19 case numbers down.”
The rest of the province moved to Step 3 on July 15th, but a modified version of it was recommended, but not ordered here, due to a significant number of Delta variant COVID-19 cases in Grey Bruce.
Recommendations to only dine outdoors or limit the size of indoor and outdoor gatherings beyond provincial regulations will no longer be in place.
Step 3 of Ontario’s reopening plan allows gatherings to a maximum of 100 people outdoors and a maximum of 25 people indoors.
The Health Unit is still encouraging workplaces and patrons to follow public health measures, especially at gyms, cinemas, restaurants and churches.
In a statement, Medical Officer of Health Dr. Ian Arra says, “Our robust Case and Contact Management was the crucial factor in bringing this latest Delta variant surge under control,” noting “However, our analysis shows the majority of transmission during the last surge was in individuals not fully vaccinated. An aggressive roll-out of vaccine, and the community support for that, will help to ensure it does not return.”
He says about 70,000 people or 50 per cent of the eligible public in Grey Bruce was vaccinated in the past 4 weeks.
Arra says, “We now need everyone’s help to encourage those who have not had their vaccine to get protected. Having everyone who is eligible fully vaccinated is the most successful way to prevent COVID-19. There are Drop-In Vaccine Clinics across Grey Bruce.”