Simcoe Muskoka region will be headed into lockdown next week.
The province shuffled some health unit regions in an announcement today, the result of which moves the local area from red zone restrictions to grey/lockdown.
Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit’s medical officer of health, Dr. Charles Gardner, said earlier this week he might ask the province to put the region in lockdown because of a 30 per cent increase in cases last week and community spread of the more transmissible B.1.1.7 variant strain of COVID-19 that originated in the United Kingdom.
The changes in restrictions between the grey/lockdown zone and the red zone the region has been in since the stay-at-home order was lifted are as follows:
- No indoor organized public events and social gatherings except with the members of your household. Those who live alone can have exclusive close contact with one other household.
- Outdoor gatherings limited to 10 people with physical distancing in place
- Restaurants, bars, and food and drink establishments may only offer takeout, drive-thru, and delivery services. No indoor or outdoor dining service is permitted.
- Indoor and outdoor sports and recreation facilities must be closed with exceptions for outdoor rinks, ski hills, and snow trails
- Retail stores can remain open with 25 per cent capacity
- Grocery stores can have up to 50 per cent capacity
- Personal care services, gaming facilities, cinemas, and performing arts facilities must close
For a full breakdown of the province’s colour-coded COVID-19 Response Framework, click here.
The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit provides advice for businesses and organizations for safe operation during the pandemic on its website here.
