The Region of Halton has updated its Class Order with changes that came into effect this past Monday October 5. The original order came into effect this past May, requiring anyone that had come in contact, or were diagnosed with COVID-19 to self-isolate for 14 days.
The changes come in response to the virus’ second wave. “A key role of Public Health in controlling the spread of the virus is to identify, contact and make sure high risk individuals are isolating as quickly as possible,” said Halton Region Medical Officer of Health Dr. Hamidah Meghani. Close contacts do not have isolate unless:
- The close contact has COVID-19 symptoms themselves; or
- The person with who they have contact is a confirmed case (i.e. with a positive test result); or
- The person with whom they have had contact is a probable case (I.e., considered to have COVID-19 even without a positive test result
The changes bring the Region of Halton in line with new provincial regulations. The province has ended the practice of social circles, and is now requiring that residents wear a non-medical face covering in all indoor areas. They are also cutting gatherings to a maximum of 10 inside, and 25 outside.