Huron Perth Public Health (HPPH) has joined two other health units to recommend increased safety meaures over the holidays, to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
A letter was published Thursday, signed by the Chief Medical Officers of Health for HPPH, the Middlesex-London Health Unit, and Southwestern Public Health (covering Oxford and Elgin counties, as well as St. Thomas).
The letter does not add restrictions or gathering limits for businesses, restaurants or other establishments to those already put in place by the Provincial Government.
However, it does advise individuals of the steps they can take to limit the potential spread of COVID-19 at a critical time, when the number of cases is on the rise and holiday gathering and travel plans are being made.
The joint letter from the Medical Officers of Health recommends the following:
- Everyone should limit indoor social gatherings in private dwellings to no more than 10 people. All attendees 12 years of age and older should be vaccinated.
- All unvaccinated individuals 12 years of age and older should avoid any non-essential indoor contact with individuals who are not part of their household.
- Where possible, individuals should work remotely.
The recommendations come into effect immediately and will be reassessed in four weeks.
The letter from the three MOHs also recommends all residents be vaccinated against COVID-19, to further prevent its spread.
In recent weeks, the three health units have seen higher transmission of the virus and COVID-19 outbreaks in multiple settings, including schools, childcare centres, long-term care and retirement homes.
The recommendations are intended to lower the number of close contacts between individuals, which previous experience and Science Table modelling have shown can lead to a decrease in case counts.