By: Laura Steiner/ Editor
Halton’s Regional Chair Gary Carr along with the Mayors of Burlington, Halton Hills, Milton and Oakville are lobbying the province to reconsider allowing the area to reopen.
On Monday, Ontario announced a list of 24 communities set to enter stage two of reopening. This would permit the reopening of restaurants with patios, and hair salons/ barbers. Halton was not among them.
“Where we haven’t seen our public health criteria met, and in consultation with local medical officers of health, certain public health units will remain at the first stage,” Ministry of Health Spokesperson Hayley Chazan said in an email.
Tuesday Regional Chair Gary Carr along with area mayors sent a letter to Premier Doug Ford, and Health Minister Christine Elliott. The letter detailed how the region has met the Provincial criteria. As of June 8:
- Halton has 745 confirmed cases and 91 active cases of COVID-19;
- no known institutional outbreaks;
- Halton’s COVID-19 case numbers make up a small fraction of the total provincial cases;
- local hospitals are sustaining adequate capacity;
- 90 per cent of new COVID-19 contacts are being reached by Halton Region Public Health within one day; and
- strong adherence to physical distancing and public health measures within our community.
Halton Region is appreciative of the Provincial Government’s leadership in the fight to stop the spread of COVID-19 and partnerships with all levels of government continue to be important. As the focus turns to recovery both locally and across Ontario, the Halton Municipalities will continue to protect residents from COVID-19 and support our local economy.
The letter ends: “We would urge you to reconsider allowing Halton Region transition to phase 2 of the reopening, as our case numbers remain low, our hospitals have capacity and our contact tracing is at the provincially required levels.” To read the full letter visit the Region’s website
