York Region, Windsor to move into lockdown Monday

The province has announced they are moving York Region and Windsor-Essex County into a lockdown, joining Toronto and Peel Region.

The lockdown measures will go into effect on Monday at 12:01 a.m.

York Region avoided going into a lockdown despite having the third highest cases count in the province for at least the last two weeks. As of Dec. 8, York had reported 104 cases per 100,000 people and a positivity rate near 6.5 per cent.

Windsor has also seen a recent surge in cases, public health officials ordered area schools to move classes online starting Monday until next Friday, when the winter break begins.

Windsor-Essex’s test positivity rate was reported at four per cent with 94 cases per 100,000 people.

“Moving a region into Grey-Lockdown is not an easy decision, but it is one we needed to make in order to help stop the spread of the virus and safeguard the key services we rely on,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health.

“As we enter the holiday season and as the province prepares to receive its first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines, it remains crucial for all Ontarians to continue adhering to public health advice and workplace safety measures to reduce the spread of the virus and keep each other safe.”

As a part of the new restrictions, bars and restaurants will be closed for both indoor and outdoor dining. Take-out services, including alcohol will be available.

Gyms, personal care services and most non-essential retail stores will close, but curb-side pick up and delivery will be an option. Malls will remain open for the purpose of essential businesses.

The lockdown will remain in place in both cities for 28 days or two COVID-19 incubation periods.

Mayors in Vaughan and Markham were among the municipal leaders in the region asking the province for one more week in the ‘Red-Control’ zone to bend the curve.

Frank Scarpitti says that he respects the province’s decision but wanted it done differently.

“I had presented another alternative to a lockdown and I will say this, I will continue to pursue fairer options for businesses in Markham and in the region of York,” Scarpitti said.

“I just have to say, my experience when I have been out in the community, is smaller retailers and restaurants are definitely been doing their part… it seems somewhat unfair that certain retailers will continue to operate and others now will have to go to curbside.”

A group of religious leaders in Windsor say they are pausing in-person services as COVID-19 infections rise in the city.

More than a dozen church leaders say in an open letter that they are suspending in-person worship and moving services online in light of increasing cases.

“We love to gather and worship together on Sunday morning, but our faith is so much more than one day a week, and we consider it an honour to lay down our privileges for the sake of our neighbours and larger community,” said the letter, which was posted online Thursday afternoon.

On Thursday, public health officials in Windsor ordered all schools to close due to the rapid rise of COVID-19 cases in the area. Students will transition to online learning starting on Monday.

The province also announced Middlesex-London Health Unit, Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, and Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health will be moved to the province’s ‘Red-Control‘ zone.

With files from The Canadian Press