National Post (National Edition)
Windsor-Essex stuck in Stage 2 of reopening
The Ontario government said Windsor-Essex will stay in Stage 2 of Ontario’s COVID-19 reopening strategy for now, making it one of the last places in Canada to be given a green light to ease tight lockdown restrictions.
In its announcement on Tuesday, the Ontario government said that Windsor-Essex will not enter Stage 3 of reopening because of ongoing outbreaks among workers in the agriculture and agri-food sectors.
Windsor-Essex is the last region in Ontario to advance to Stage 3. Toronto and Peel region advanced to Stage 3 on Friday. While each province and territory has a different reopening system, Windsor-Essex remains one of the furthest behind regions in Canada in dealing with COVID-19.
Windsor-Essex has reported 2,350 cases and 71 deaths from COVID-19. There were 10 cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday.
In Ontario, Stage 2 means people can go to places such as places of worship, outdoor restaurants, and some personal care services, but must limit social gatherings up to 10 people and maintain physical distancing. Stage 3 would allow places such as gyms, indoor restaurants, and many facial and spa services to reopen.
This decision to keep the region back in order to monitor local transmission of COVID-19 was made in consultation with the Ontario chief medical officer of health, Windsor-Essex’s chief medical officer of health, other health experts and local authorities.
“We are working hard with our federal and local partners to provide the communities in Windsor-Essex with the support they need during their reopening,” said Minister of Health Christine Elliott in the announcement.
Ontario deployed the Emergency Medical Assistance Team (EMAT) to Windsor-Essex in July to provide incident management support and co-ordination with the health sector in the area. The province is also implementing a three-point plan to reduce the risk of transmission on farms and throughout the community. Minister of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs Ernie Hardeman said this plan consists of expanded on-site testing, access to employment benefits and supports, and public health guidance. “We continue to take action to address outbreaks in the region and provide our farmers and agribusinesses in Windsor-Essex with the help, tools and resources necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of their workers and employees,” said Hardeman.
It remains unclear when Windsor-Essex will be entering Stage 3 of reopening. The announcement said public health experts will “continue to closely monitor and assess local trends of key public health indicators, including lower transmission of COVID-19, sufficient hospital capacity, public health capacity to do rapid case and contact management, and increased testing, before advising when the region can move safely into Stage 3.”