In his daily COVID-19 update today, Premier Doug Ford announced that just three regions would be permitted to emerge from the provincewide stay-at-home order this week. Simcoe Muskoka is not among them, and will instead remain under the stay-at-home order until next week before learning where the region will fall in the province’s colour-coded COVID-19 Response Framework.
The health units permitted to lift the order this week, and move to the Green-Prevent level on Feb. 10, are: Hastings Prince Edward Public Health; Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington Public Health; and Renfrew County and District Health Unit. Twenty-eight health units, including Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, will continue under the stay-at-home order until Tuesday, Feb. 16, while Toronto, Peel, and York will continue until Feb. 22.
Each health unit will receive individual orders placing them in one of the province’s colour-coded COVID-19 framework zones based on trends in public health indicators. Among the considerations for each region will be case numbers, hospital capacity, and spread of variants of concern.
Minister of Health, Christine Elliott, urged continued caution and expressed concern over the rise of coronavirus variants in the province. Of note for Muskoka, there have been 128 cases in Simcoe County with a confirmed UK B.1.1.7 variant, and a COVID-19 cluster in North Bay with one test returning preliminary confirmation of a variant of concern.
“I want to caution that while we’ve seen some progress, the risk remains high,” said Elliott. “COVID-19 variants are now spreading in Ontario and remain a significant threat to controlling the pandemic in all areas of the province, including those currently with low transmission.”
The province has begun screening all positive COVID-19 tests for known variants, she added.
Given the risk posed by new variants, the province said it is introducing an “emergency brake” which would allow it to immediately move a region into Grey-Lockdown if it experiences rapid acceleration in transmission of the virus, or if there is risk the health care system will become overwhelmed.
“It remains critical to continue following public health advice and measures to protect our communities, our most vulnerable populations, and stop the spread of COVID-19,” said Elliott.
Acknowledging the strain on businesses and high unemployment caused by the shutdown, Premier Ford said that the government has also updated the restrictions on retail businesses within its framework.
“I just want to emphasize, health and safety is the single most important, it trumps everything… The unemployment rate is 153,000 people lost their jobs. That’s 153,000 families that are struggling to pay their rent or to pay a mortgage or to put food on the table. We’re gonna do everything we can to help the small business folks…but we have to do it cautiously.,” he said.
Within the updated measures, limited in-person shopping in non-essential businesses in Grey-Lockdown zones will be permitted at 25 per cent capacity, while those in Red-Control zones will be limited to 50 per cent capacity. Individuals will also be required to wear a face covering and maintain physical distance when indoors in a business, with limited exceptions.
Other new measures include a requirement for individuals to wear a face covering when attending an organized public event or gathering (where permitted) both indoors and outdoors if they are within two metres distance of another individual who is not part of their household. See further details at ontario.ca.
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Bruce Stimers says
Too bad Muskoka politicians don’t fight hard to get our former status back to pair with the Parry Sound Health Unit. Being paired Simcoe is ridiculous. It’s time to push hard on the Provicial government to be real.
Hugh Holland says
Would it be more advantageous for Muskoka to be part of the Barrie / Orillia health systems or the North Bay / Sudbury health systems which includes north Parry Sound? In ordinary times, it would seem that Barrie / Orillia is better for Muskoka. In these infrequent, unusual, and hopefully short-lived Covid times, North Bay / Sudbury might appear to be better. But we can’t flip back and forth, because making the change is a big deal that affects many things. Regardless, making such a change in the middle of the all the extra work and pressures of a pandemic might not be the best idea.
Gail Elliott says
I don’t know why our area is in with the lock down there has only been a handful of cases .And the hardship financially and mentally. You have places like Ottawa open .The government is going to have other problems when they want money back .It will take people time to get back to being able to survive and pay back the government.
Lori Wilkins says
I just can’t fathom how we can stay in the stay at home restrictions when snowmobiling is permitted when we get people from other districts traveling here into the snow belt areas while under stay at home criteria then schools get re-opened and now ski hills will be allowed to open again traveller’s from other cities are allowed to go ski in our area, but you don’t want anyone traveling with the stay at home restriction. I am very confused about this whole permitting this ,what does the virus not hit any of these activities but yet we can’t travel to see our families…just not making sense…
Karen A Insley says
Interesting to note what areas are green in ON? Would that be the #MP Derek Sloan, #MPP Randy Hillier Ridings, along with other Mayors, Councillors too? All these officials joined the Caucus? What Caucus you ask, the Liberty Coalition Canada! This is a movement of current and formally elected men & women from all over Canada!
Dave Bones says
As Lori posted it is confusing indeed. I live just north of Muskoka in the North Bay Parry Sound Health District.
Our Doctor closed all outdoor recreation weeks ago which includes snowmobile trails, outdoor rinks and toboggan hills. Hi concern was as Lori says that people from other areas are coming and possibly bringing the virus to the area
Your Doctor can also do it if he wants to.
Our Dr just today extended his order until February 16. In his update he states he is very concerned with the spread of a new variant in his area.
I suppose there is no sense to some of this. We cant use the outdoor recreation in our own towns and area because of the fear of folks bringing the virus. But where the folks could be coming from they can use all their facilities close to their homes.
Know wonder people are confused and justifiably upset.
Phil Beacock says
We need to stay with the plan and set up, that being simcoe and muskoka together! Reason: we have people still travelling into our area! Why, cause we are close to Toronto! Cottage rentals are busy i see it every weekend! Different vehicles in these driveways every weekend! Audi’s, BMW’s, and a ton of snowmobiles!
We have proven one thing, that staying home and no travel works! BUT some people don’t listen well!
The mayor of Bracebridge, on up, tell people to come on up just stay at the cottage! Sorry that dont work! They need food gas and what ever!
Good bless our front line workers! Safe day to all! STAY HOME!
Mike Larkin says
I’ve been monitoring this pandemic quite extensively from the beginning (Who hasn’t) and have felt like from the beginning our feds have not taken any step in curbing this disease until we see steps and direction the U.S. takes. I thought we as a separate country would be a little smarter and take our own path and the paths of the more positive countries, not Mr. Trump. Now that we have bent over backwards trying to abide by rules and regulations put forth by our slow to react governing officials which all and all have not had the best outcomes, maybe we as Canadians should band together to open the economy and put a little pressure back to where it belongs although action might be a little too late with this current delema.
Thanks Mr. Trudeu for having no spine and making us look more American