New plan could allow Halton to impose it own COVID-19 measures

By

Published November 3, 2020 at 8:54 am

Halton Region may have a greater say on how COVID-19 related restrictions are determined with a new plan to be announced by Premier Doug Ford today.

The Provincial government is expected to announce the system that will set out clear guidelines on how local health departments can impose closures and lockdowns and when they can lift them.

Queen’s Park intends to make the move as community disparities are revealed and that blanket policies may be no longer be effective in combating the virus while keeping the economy viable.

This could benefit businesses that are operating in areas where there are low number of coronavirus cases. It will also allow local health departments to act on the evidence and better predict where hotspots may occur and how it will determine the level of restrictions.

Currently, with a relatively low number of ongoing COVID-19 cases compared to other Ontario municipalities, Halton has avoided the situation where severe restrictions have shut down restaurants, gyms, and other places where the public gathers.

The new guidelines could also bring changes to areas such as Peel and York Regions, Toronto and Ottawa where strict sanctions could be lifted in specific communities based on new criteria.

 

 

insauga's Editorial Standards and Policies advertising