First weekend for ‘phase one’ warm and busy
Administrator | May 24, 2020 | Comments 0
Prince Edward County’s Millennium Trail remained busy as visitors physical-distanced while walking, biking, riding and roller blading on the warmest weekend of the season. The mercury reached 26.3 (almost 80F) on Saturday.
Some people visited retail shops that were newly allowed to open their doors, with precautions, since the province declared a state of emergency in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic on March 17. Ontario entered “phase one” of re-opening many businesses last Tuesday.
In Toronto, Premier Doug Ford, in his daily update, warned people to continue to take the “deadly” virus seriously.
He was referring to the shock he felt seeing thousands of people gather in a popular city park, breaking physical distancing rules.
“I thought it was a rock concert. I was shocked,” he said. “We can’t have that right now. It is still a deadly virus.”
There were several reports of many visitors to the County and the bylaw department notifying short-term accommodators they cannot have guests at this time. There was a report about boats gathering for parties on the Bay of Quinte.
The provincial government is expecting to release a detailed strategy for COVID-19 next week and the premier encouraged residents, Sunday morning, to get tested.
The government wants 16,000 tests daily, but the Ministry of Health reported just over 11,380.
Ford urged people who are concerned they may have COVID-19 to get a test, even if are not showing symptoms.
UPDATED: Individuals with no symptoms of illness who believe they may have been exposed to COVID-19, or who may be at risk of exposure through their employment (i.e. front-line workers) are encouraged to contact their local assessment centre directly to book an appointment for testing:
For the Picton assessment centre, call or text (text preferred) 613-813-6864.
For Bancroft, Belleville, or Trenton assessment centres, call 613-961-5544 (to avoid long distance charges in the Bancroft area, call 613-332-2825 ext. 2222).
All assessment centres are currently operating between 9 am and 5pm. Picton is open seven days a week, all other centres are open weekdays only.
Local lab-confirmed cases were at 43 on May 18, up one since May 1, and believed to be transmitted from community.
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