We’re nearing an end to the first week of the province-wide lockdown, and the Northwestern Health Unit is encouraging the region to follow provincial guidelines.
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kit Young Hoon says to slow the spread of COVID-19, all regions must participate.
“We’re encouraging everyone to follow the recommendations and the requirements for the province-wide shutdown. This includes staying within your household and keeping activities to only what’s essential.”
The province has also said if you live alone, you can pair up with another household to exclusively see during the lockdown.
While southern Ontario’s lockdown is set to last four weeks, if all goes well, northern Ontario’s lockdown is scheduled to end on January 9.
“In determining whether or not the shutdown needs to be extended, I think they (the province) will be looking at transmission rates and the number of cases of COVID-19 in the north, specifically, to determine if we need to extend the shutdown.”
Young Hoon explains what the health unit can do in regards to monitoring the public following lockdown rules.
“Monitoring does not occur proactively. It is really based on responding to complaints. So if we get complaints, we will follow up with the business or the space where it’s happening. There are also other enforcement agencies, such as the OPP, who can follow up with complaints.”
Some of the restrictions for the provincewide lockdown include:
- Non-essential businesses are closed but can offer curbside pick up
- Indoor gatherings are restricted to your household
- Outdoor gatherings are limited to 10 people or less
