The Province announced today that Simcoe Muskoka is among the regions that will move to the red/control zone in its COVID-19 response framework effective Dec. 14, 2020.
Although there are few confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Muskoka (nine active cases as of Dec. 11 and a total of 106 to date), case counts have been rising in Simcoe County. That region currently has 360 unhospitalized cases and 15 hospitalized cases, and has had 2,478 cases to date.
Because the regions together comprise one health unit—Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit—the entire area is treated as the same zone.
What does that mean for Muskoka?
The following are among the increased restrictions:
- All organized public events and social gatherings limited to five people indoors and 25 people outdoors.
- Restaurants can have a maximum of 10 people seated indoors, with no more than four per table.
- Religious services rites or ceremonies, including wedding services and funeral services, where physical distancing can be maintained limited to 30 per cent capacity of the room indoors or 100 people outdoors (applies in any venue other than a private dwelling).
- Sports and recreation facilities, where physical distancing can be maintained, limited to 10 people in indoor areas with weights and exercise machines, 10 people in all indoor classes, 25 people in outdoor classes, and no spectators are permitted, but each person under 18 may be accompanied by one parent or guardian.
- Team sports must not be practised or played except for training (no games or scrimmage).
- See the full list of restrictions here.
Public health units will stay in their new levels for a minimum of 28 days, or two COVID-19 incubation periods, at which time, the government will assess the impact of public health measures to determine if the public health unit should stay where they are or be moved to a different level. Simcoe Muskoka will remain in the red/control zone until at least January 8, 2021.
The Province also recommends that individuals and families in higher transmission areas avoid travel to lower transmission areas, except for essential reasons. That means that residents of Muskoka should avoid travel to neighbouring North Bay Parry Sound District, which is in the green/prevent zone, and and the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge region, which is in the yellow/protect zone.
Municipal leaders across Muskoka have expressed concern about being included in the same zone as Simcoe County, given the low local case numbers, a concern that has been relayed to the Province via SMDHU medical officer of health, Dr. Charles Gardner.
Related: Simcoe Muskoka could soon find itself in province’s COVID red zone: Dr. Gardner
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Barry groomes says
The should not be recommending that people in the red zones not travel to the other zones. They should be done well preventing it altogether. Shot is never going to stop as long as people can keep roaming the province and spreading there germs.
Ray Vowels says
Just stop advising people to stop traveling from one zone to another shut the hwy down and stop it . We all know people will not listen to anything the Govt. advises . Just look at all the impaired drivers on our roads . They catch a few every day but how many more are there that get away with it. There is no reason in the world why Muskoka is moved into the red zone with Simcoe . Just more Govt foolishness is all that is .
Kirsty Williamson says
After the increase in numbers of people in stores here in Muskoka that l have witnessed lately and the discomfort l have been feeling, l am 100% happier that we have been moved to the red zone and in that message that people from red zones or lockdown zones are asked not to go and shop in other zones. I really care about everyone’s health!
Will Moore says
Health Unit is ineffective and a “money pit”. Dr. Gardner sits in front of his computer reading statistics and reading his script. All the while collecting a significant salary and benefits package. Health Units, such as this one, should be ended. There is no value for money here.
Telling Muskokans not to travel to the other areas is ridiculous.
If Dr. Gardner left his basement and actually visited Muskoka, he would see all the vehicles from Toronto, Brampton and York Region in the area … absurd !
Of course the apologists will say they are visiting their cottages etc. Was that considered essential travel ? Did they quarantine for 14 days ?
How would anyone know ?
Certainly Dr. Gardner could never answer these questions.
Waldi Frankiewicz says
It is not acceptable end disgusting for someone to allow themselves to undermine Dr. Gardner’s authority and his recommendations. From the beginning, Dr. Gardner has been doing everything he can to protect the residents of the Muskoka district. The public suggestion to close the highways and access roads to Muskoka is an overwhelmingly dangerous call to paralyze the Muskoka district. Logistics and communication must work whether someone likes it or not.
Bill Beatty says
A lot of griping and negativity but no Constructive Criticism. Not helpful !
Margaret Brown says
I agree with Mr. Beatty , all this negativity is not helpful.
Most of the comments sound selfish , certainly not CARING about your fellow citizens. Shut down the highways ? So when a person has to travel to the “grey” zone to get medical assistance should they be allowed to go there? Or when you need your “essentials” and it’s a transport driver from the “grey” zone should they be allowed to enter Muskoka? Come on people , it’s very depressing to see how unkind Canadians actually are .