Three more regions of Ontario see more restrictive COVID-19 measures, York spared from lockdown
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The Ontario government announced that three regions in the province will be moved into more restrictive COVID-19 levels in the reopening framework.
The changes are as follows:
Orange-Restrict
Middlesex-London Health Unit
Thunder Bay District Health Unit
Yellow-Protect
Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit
“Over the last seven days we have seen the trends in key public health indicators continue to go in the wrong direction in these three regions,” a statement from Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health reads. “By taking proactive action and moving these regions to a higher level in the framework, we are helping them to reduce transmission in the community and avoid broader closures.”
York Region will remain within the current Red-Control Zone as per the Province. This is good news for our residents and businesses as we manage health and safety matters with the economic realities.
— Mayor Tom Mrakas (@TMrakas) December 4, 2020
Despite discussions about York Region possibly needing more restrictions, at this point the province is not recommending that the area move from Red level to lockdown.
This comes as the province reported 1,780 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, including 633 new cases in Toronto, 433 in Peel and 152 in York Region.
Ontarians took to social media to comment on York remaining in Red level restrictions.
NOT enough! I can list a dozen stores just in my immediate neighbourhood in York Region that aren't complying, welcoming customers without masks and no capacity limits. York Region is on fire and everyone is standing by...
— Dr. Yael Machtinger (@yaelmachtinger) December 4, 2020
what angers me is the Premier claims he won’t hesitate to do what’s necessary to control the spread of Covid but he continuously refuses to close York Region. there’s no ✨forcefield✨ that will magically stop ppl from other regions from shopping at York stores
— Birdie (@Birdiesbooks15) December 4, 2020
“As we continue in our fight against the second wave of COVID-19 and begin preparing for the holiday season, it remains crucial for all Ontarians to continue following public health measures and advice,” a statement from Dr. David Williams, chief medical officer of health reads. “By limiting close contact to those who you live with and by adhering to public event and social gathering limits, we can once again bend the curve and prevent the need for further restrictions.”
Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccine task force revealed
The provincial government also announced the appointment of nine members of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution task force, chaired by retired General Rick Hillier.
The members of the task force are:
Dr. Dirk Huyer, Ontario's chief coroner and coordinator of provincial outbreak response
Dr. Homer Tien, trauma surgeon and president and CEO, Ornge
Dr. Maxwell Smith, bioethicist and assistant professor, Western University
Dr. Isaac Bogoch, infectious diseases consultant and internist, Toronto General Hospital
Ontario Regional Chief RoseAnne Archibald of Taykwa Tagamou Nation
Dr. Regis Vaillancourt, director of pharmacy and integrated pain services, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario
Linda Hasenfratz, CEO, Linamar Corporation
Angela Mondou, president and CEO, TECHNATION
Mark Saunders, former Toronto Police Chief
“This is a critical stage in our fight against COVID-19,” a statement from Elliott reads. “The task force we have assembled will play a key role in developing and implementing Ontario's immunization program.”
The task force will focus on delivery, logistics and administration, clinical guidance and public education and outreach related to COVID-19 vaccines.
Check out our COVID-19 in Canada topic page for latest news, tips, health updates, cases and more.
