Halton appeals to Doug Ford to be included in Friday’s reopening

Thestar.com
June 10, 2020
Melanie Hennessey

Halton’s political leaders are urging the province to reconsider its decision that shut the region out of the next stage of reopening businesses and services during the pandemic.

Premier Doug Ford announced Monday that restrictions across the province are being eased in certain communities based on lower rates of COVID-19 transmission, increased capacity in hospitals and progress made in testing. However, Halton was not on the list of approved regions.

In a response sent to Ford on Tuesday, the four Halton mayors and Regional Chair Gary Carr highlight the low number of COVID-19 cases locally and Halton’s “strong adherence to social distancing and public health measures” as reasons to allow more businesses to open in the community.

“Halton’s COVID-19 case numbers make up a small fraction of the total provincial cases. In addition, our hospitals are sustaining adequate capacity, and at least 90 per cent of new COVID-19 contacts are being reached by Halton Public Health officials within one day,” the five politicians asserted in a letter to Ford.

“Given the high number of cases in other municipalities across the GTA and Greater Golden Horseshoe, we understand why they are not moving forward in this phased approach. Halton, however, does not have these same issues. We would urge you to reconsider allowing Halton Region to transition to phase two of the reopening.”

Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward said that residents across the four Halton municipalities have shown “great diligence” in adhering to physical distancing rules, wearing masks, staying home and implementing health and safety controls in public spaces and at local businesses.

“As a result, our COVID-19 cases have remained low and our hospital capacities have remained high,” she said. “We have the utmost confidence in the people and businesses of our region to continue to adhere to the guidelines that will keep our numbers low and our residents healthy.”

At Queen’s Park, the premier appealed for patience in regions that are not moving to the second stage of reopening this Friday.

“If we can get these numbers down, like hopefully in the next week or two weeks,” said Ford, holding out hope Tuesday that more regions could open up.

“We review this every single week. There’s no one out there … that wants to get this economy going more than I do. It’s absolutely critical. (But) this is fluid. This thing is moving constantly.”

In addition to more businesses and services reopening in certain areas of Ontario, the Ford government is increasing the limit on social gatherings from five to 10 people effective June 12, regardless of whether the region has moved to stage two.

All places of worship will also be permitted to open with physical distancing in place, and attendance limited to no more than 30 per cent of the building capacity.

Child-care centres and day camps have now been added to the list of what can reopen June 12 as well. Both will face new restrictions.

The province will make an announcement at the beginning of each week on whether more regions are ready to move into stage two of the business reopening plan.