Hair salons, patios reopening Friday

County mayors urging people to adhere to social distancing requirements when businesses, services resume on Friday

Peterborough County politicians are worried Greater Toronto Area residents will flock to the county for services after the provincial government announced Monday that the second phase of the reopening of the economy will be phased in regionally.

More businesses and activities will be allowed to reopen in Peterborough city and county and many other areas of Ontario starting on Friday, including restaurant patios, hair salons and swimming pools, but Toronto and Durham Region are among the regions not included.

“I am certainly delighted that Peterborough city and county are a part of the

Phase 2 program, but I think we still have to be aware that we’re still very close to the GTA, and this whole thing isn’t over yet,” said County Warden J. Murray Jones.

Jones hopes that those coming from the GTA will obey the rules of social distancing.

“That’s all we can hope for at this time,” Jones said.

Sherry Senis, deputy mayor of Selwyn Township, said it’s inevitable that these individuals will come to the county.

“The premier has also said that people from the GTHA are available to come out to the areas that are open in Stage 2, so it’s almost like he’s given the invitation,” Senis said.

Because Ontarians have been limited in terms of places to go and things to do, Senis thinks they’ll be looking to get out and about.

“I can see where this will encourage people to come up to the other areas. And it isn’t just the Kawarthas, but the other areas that are going to be enjoying

Stage 2,” she said.

Residents from the GTA have already been flocking into Trent Lakes, said Janet Clarkson, mayor of the municipality.

“Every weekend, that’s where the bulk of our visitors are coming from and our roads have been busy, busy, busy,” she said.

Clarkson said she hopes the province doesn’t pay too high of a price for Phase 2.

“I think the people who are behaving themselves will continue to do so, but there’s a large group of people out there that don’t even think this is an issue. They don’t get it,” Clarkson said. “I think it’s good news for businesses, but I think we better be really careful.”

Jones said he has seen many locals and visitors in the county who aren’t adhering to social distancing recommendations.

“Anywhere I look lately there’s a lot of people not paying attention to that,” Jones said.

Otonabee-South Monaghan Mayor Joe Taylor said the province could undo a lot of the good that it’s done in the last few months.

“We’ve got to be careful and that’s on us. That’s not on the premier, or the medical officer of health, or elected officials like me,” Taylor said. “The general public must comply with the health unit recommendations.”

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