The Ontario government released a statement this morning stating that the Windsor-Essex region would remain in Stage 2 of the province’s re-opening plan, for now. Toronto and Peel Region joined the rest of the province in Stage 3 on July 31, making Windsor-Essex the only region still in Stage 2.
Health experts said they want to continue to monitor the outbreaks on farms in the region before moving on.
“We are working hard with our federal and local partners to provide the communities in Windsor-Essex with the support they need during their reopening,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, in a statement. “With the health and safety of the people of Ontario our absolute top priority, Windsor-Essex will remain in Stage 2 until the data indicates they can safely move to Stage 3.”
In order to combat the outbreaks in the agri-food sector, Ontario is also implementing a three-point plan to the support Windsor-Essex County Health Unit to reduce the risk of spreading the virus. The plan includes:
- ongoing and expanded on-site testing;
- access to employment benefits and supports;
- and public health guidance specific to the agri-food setting.
“We continue to take action to address outbreaks in the region and provide our farmers and agribusinesses in Windsor-Essex with the help, tools and resources necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of their workers and employees,” said Ernie Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, in a statement. “We are all working together to fight the spread of COVID-19 while protecting our vital food supply chain and the health and safety of the people who put food on our tables.”
The government said that experts will be monitoring trends of public health indicators, including lower transmission of COVID-19, sufficient hospital capacity, public health capacity, and increased testing, before advising when the region can move safely into Stage 3.
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