As the number of COVID-19 cases in the province rose above 100 for the first time in a week Aug. 10, Premier Doug Ford announced that the chief medical officer of health and the local medical officer of health have determined that Windsor-Essex is ready to move into stage 3 based on positive public health indicators.
COVID-19 outbreaks among migrant workers employed by some local farms contributed to the long delay in entering stage 3.
“As all of Ontario now enters into stage 3,” Ford said in an Aug. 10 government news release, “I ask everyone to remain on their guard and keep following the public health measures to protect the tremendous progress we’ve made and keep this deadly virus at bay.”
With the entire province now in stage 3, the news release stressed that it is critically important for all Ontarians to continue following public health advice, including practising physical distancing with those outside your household or 10-person social circle, wearing a face covering where mandatory or when physical distancing is a challenge, staying home when ill, washing your hands frequently and thoroughly, and downloading the COVID Alert App.
A complete list of restrictions is available at Ontario.ca/reopen.
Under stage 3 rules, indoor gathering limits are restricted to 50 people, while outdoor gatherings are limited to 100 people.
Public gathering limits apply to indoor and outdoor events, such as community events or gatherings, concerts, live shows, festivals, conferences, sports and recreational fitness activities, fundraisers, fairs, festivals or open houses. A two-metre distance must still be maintained at such events.
Establishments and activities in all areas deemed “high risk” due to the likelihood of large crowds and the difficulty of physical distancing are not allowed to open. These include amusement parks, water parks, buffet-style food services, public dancing at restaurants and bars, overnight camps for children, karaoke rooms, contact sports, bath houses and saunas, and table games at casinos and gaming centres.
The government is also inviting businesses not yet able to reopen to visit the site to submit a reopening proposal. More information on continuing restrictions is available at the government’s emergency information portal or at its Stop the Spread Business Information Line at 1-888-444-3659.
If you have any information, story ideas or news tips for The Lawyer’s Daily please contact John Schofield at john.schofield@lexisnexis.ca or call (905) 415-5891.