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Provincial shutdown limits interactions to those within your own household.
Due to surging cases Ontario is shutting down the province to spare lives and a pressured health care system.
On December 26 at 12:01am, Elgin County, Oxford County and the City of St. Thomas will face closures and further restrictions on businesses and services. Unlike during the previous lockdown These restrictions are expected to last for at least 28 days.
“We had hoped not see a shutdown,” says Dr. Joyce Lock, Medical Officer of Health at Southwestern Public Health. “This has many implications for individuals, businesses and services; however, this virus is raging within our communities. This is the best tool we have to keep distance between people and stop the spread. If we don’t take this step, we not only risk more people becoming very, very sick, but we will also overwhelm the health care system.” There are currently 915 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19 in Ontario. 216 of those individuals are in ICU.
In Southern Ontario, the shutdown will remain in effect for at least 28 days. In Northern communities the shutdown will end after 14 days.
“This virus spreads quickly from close interactions with people. Until the COVID-19 vaccine is widely available and we have had sufficient uptake of the vaccine, limiting interactions is the only way we will stop this virus so that we can shift our energy to recovery,” says Dr. Lock.
Individuals financially affected by the COVID-19 restrictions are advised to review financial supports from the Ontario and Federal governments. Both tiers of government have allocated funding for individuals affected by COVID-19 measures in specific circumstances, such as job or child-care interruption.
Notable Restrictions
In addition to prohibiting visits with people outside of your immediate household, the shutdown impacts a wide range of businesses, organizations, and services, some of which must close entirely.
Notable new restrictions include:
- No indoor social gatherings or organized public events are permitted, except with people you live with; limit of 10 people outdoors
- People who live alone – including seniors – can have exclusive close contact with one other household to reduce the negative impacts of social isolation
- Limit of 10 people indoors and 10 people outdoors for religious services or ceremonies; virtual and drive-in encouraged
- Work remotely, where possible
- Trips outside the home should only be for essential reasons, such as work, school, grocery/pharmacy, health care, assisting vulnerable individuals, or physical activity
- Post-secondary institutions to be only virtual instruction, with limited exceptions
- Elementary schools closed for in person learning until January 11, 2021
- Secondary schools closed for in person learning until January 25, 2021
- Retail generally to be open for curbside pick-up or delivery only; 50% capacity limits where in-person shopping is permitted
- Bars, restaurants, and food establishments to be open for take out, drive through, and delivery only
Additional restrictions apply to specific businesses. A full list of Grey-Lockdown restrictions is on the Ontario.ca website.
Contacts
Megan Cornwell
Communications Manager | Southwestern Public Health
519-631-9900 x 1259 | 1-800-922-0096
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