Haldimand Norfolk Can Move Into Stage 2 on Friday

Monday, 15 June 2020 13:27

The Province of Ontario announced 7 more regions that can move into Stage 2 starting on Friday, including Haldimand-Norfolk.

ONTARIO - Haldimand-Norfolk will be able to join us in Stage 2 starting on Friday.

The Province announced more regions that can move into Stage 2 today and they included Haldimand Norfolk. The latest public health unit regions allowed to move into Stage 2 on Friday, June 19, 2020 at 12:01 a.m. are:

- Durham Region Health Department;
- Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit;
- Halton Region Health Department;
- Hamilton Public Health Services;
- Lambton Health Unit;
- Niagara Region Public Health Department; and
- York Region Public Health Services.

These regions are able to reopen due to positive trends of key public health indicators at the local level, including lower transmission of COVID-19, sufficient hospital health system capacity, local public health capacity to assist with rapid case and contact management, and a significant increase in testing provincially.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says the hard work of everyone is starting to pay off.

"Thanks to the collective efforts of our frontline health care workers and the people in these regions to stop the spread of COVID-19, more businesses will be able to open their doors and thousands of people will be able to go back to work and put food on the table. With the public health trends improving day by day across the province, I am hopeful all regions of Ontario will enter Stage 2 very soon. But we must remain on our guard to prevent any potential surge or secondary wave by continuing to follow the sound advice of our public health officials."

The following regions will remain in Stage 1 under ongoing assessment until trends of key public health indicators demonstrate readiness to move into Stage 2:

- Peel Public Health;
- Toronto Public Health; and
- Windsor-Essex County Health Unit.

Deputy Premier and Health Minister Christine Elliott says they are hoping to open all of the regions soon.

"Opening more regions of Ontario is another positive sign that we are making steady progress in our collective efforts to contain this deadly virus. As many more Ontarians begin to work, shop and interact with others, it's never been more important that we continue to follow public health advice, especially physical distancing with anyone outside of our social circle, so we can soon successfully and safely move into Stage 3."

Public health remains the government's top priority. All Ontarians must continue to follow public health advice, including practice physical distancing, wearing a face covering if physical distancing is a challenge, washing hands frequently and thoroughly, and avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth. If you think you have COVID-19 or have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19, get tested.

The Chief Medical Officer of Health and health experts will continue to closely monitor the evolving situation to advise when public health restrictions can be gradually loosened or if they need to be tightened.

You can listen to the Premiers comments from today below: