At his last weekly media scrum, Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit Dr. Ian Gemmill urged everyone to continue to observe COVID-19 precautions stringently and keep the faith a little longer,
Now a new Ontario-wide shutdown taking effect this Saturday takes this warning to a new level – meaning the region won't see business as usual for a few more weeks.
As of 12:01 am on April 3, the Ontario government is moving the entire province into shutdown due to a significant rise in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and ICU admissions, with new stricter public health measures in place for at least four weeks.
“We understand another province-wide shutdown isn’t easy for anyone, especially after more than a year of pandemic restrictions,” Dr. Gemmill said in the health unit's press release.
“We can only urge everyone to stay the course and to follow these new shutdown measures, which are necessary to get COVID-19 back under control. We know that other areas of the province are being overwhelmed again with cases, and we all need to do our part to protect others and to ensure our hospitals and health-care system are not overwhelmed.”
The rules that were in place under the HKPR region's Yellow-Protect COVID-19 colour category are put in hold by the shutdown. Among the stricter measures contained in the province-wide shutdown:
Everyone is asked to limit their trips outside the home to only essentials.
Gathering indoors with anyone you do not live with is strongly discouraged.
Outdoor gatherings are limited to five people, with physical distancing maintained.
Most grocery stores, pharmacies and essential services can stay open, but are limited to 50% capacity. Other retailers (including malls) can also stay open but are limited to 25% capacity. Curbside pickup and delivery are encouraged where available.
Restaurants can be open only for take-out, delivery and drive-through. Indoor and outdoor dining are not allowed.
Gyms, fitness clubs, movie theatres and personal-care services (like barbershops, spas, hair salons and tattoo studios) must close.
Schools and day cares remain open, but day camps must close.
Dr. Gemmill urges everyone to do his or her part to stop the spread of COVID-19, especially ahead of the upcoming holiday long weekend.
“Pandemic fatigue is a real thing, but I urge everyone to redouble their efforts to follow these new public health restrictions so we can get a handle on COVID-19,” he said.
“We will get through this shutdown together. We just need to be patient for a bit longer.”
For more information on the province-wide lockdown, visit the provincial government website.
