Local public health bans outside zone visitors to dining, services and accommodations
Administrator | Feb 09, 2021 | Comments 6
As the region moves to the Green-Prevent level of the provincial reopening Framework on Wednesday, Feb. 10, Hastings Prince Edward Public Health is implements additional precautions to the zone restrictions.
“The ongoing perseverance and efforts of local residents and businesses have been critical to lower rates of COVID-19 in the region,” said Dr. Piotr Oglaza, Medical Officer of Health and CEO at HPEPH. “However, COVID-19 rates remain high in other regions of Ontario and emerging variants pose an ongoing risk.”
Tuesday, HPEPH announced additional precautions to supplement provincial Green Zone restrictions:
– Bookings for accommodation, personal service settings and dine-in food services shall be accepted only for individuals residing in regions where the stay at home order has been lifted (exceptions will include booking accommodation for individuals who are travelling to our region for essential reasons as defined by the Ontario’s Stay at Home Order).
– Dine-in services shall be limited to six people per table.
– Contact information shall be required for all patrons attending local food service establishments and personal service settings.
– Retail businesses shall be required to maintain/post a safety plan. Employees and patrons shall wear appropriate face coverings or PPE.
– Retail businesses shall not play music at a volume any louder than a normal conversation.
– Patrons shall not be permitted to line up inside a retail setting, or to line up/congregate outside a retail setting unless they are wearing a face covering and able to maintain two metres of distance.
These additional restrictions have been put in place through a Class 22 Order. HPEPH will continually monitor the status of the provincial Stay at Home Order, which remains in place across much of Ontario until Feb. 16. HPEPH will also monitor provincial rates of COVID-19 and restrictions in other regions, and will review and update this Class 22 Order as needed in effort to protect local residents.
“We are incredibly grateful for the ongoing work and sacrifices being made by local residents, businesses, and other establishments to protect one another and keep case rates low in our region,” said Oglaza. “While many businesses and establishments will reopen tomorrow, we must remember this is not a return to normal. In order to maintain our progress, all residents are asked to remain thoughtful about daily choices, as our actions can have a huge impact on efforts to stop the spread of illness.”
While small gatherings, limited to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors, are permitted while HPEC is in the Green-Restrict zone, all residents are asked to continue to limit close contacts to those within their household. Physically distance with all others, and wear a mask when physical distancing is not possible.
In addition, residents are asked to:
– Avoid travelling to, or hosting guests from, other regions, in particular regions where a Stay at Home order is in effect.
– Stay home when ill and get tested if you have symptoms (even if mild).
– Wash your hands often, and clean frequently touched surfaces.
– Download the COVID-19 app to protect yourself and others.
Local business owners/operators unable to find answers to their questions on the HPEPH web page are invited to complete the online inquiry form. For complete details regarding restrictions and precautions applicable to the Green-Prevent level of the province’s reopening Framework, visit Ontario.ca
Filed Under: Local News
These measures do not stop a County resident from traveling outside Green Zones. They are only effective if County residents are forbidden from leaving a Green Zone. These are half measures at best.
Quebec visitors in Sobey’s parking lot this week. The ban sounds good in principle but enforcement will be another matter. Obviously these Quebeckers were staying somewhere in the county.
SM. Public Health doesn’t have a category “visitor” because they have no way of knowing when a visitor infects a local. They can arrive, infect and leave with no tracing. If visitors were not a concern Public Health would not be denying them accommodations or access to dining.
“Local public health BANS OUTSIDE ZONE VISITORS to dining, services and accommodations.” That certainly sounds like a great idea, but how exactly is this ban going to be enforced? Based on the crowds of people in Metro this morning, many of whom didn’t seem to have a clue which way was what I’d make an educated guess that many of them are not permanent residents.
During the recent spike in numbers, case causes were listed as travel, close contact and local. By and far it was the first two causes that were most cited. That travel was local folks go elsewhere and returning.
None of us likes being displaced by the tourist population, but they have not proven to be evil disease spreaders.
Dr. Oglaza, thank you very much. We have worked hard to see this area be safe. We appreciate your support. It goes a long way to create good will between your office and the community.