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Haldimand-Norfolk moves into Stage 2 Friday

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More people will be able to get back to work as additional businesses and services in certain regions across Ontario can begin reopening this Friday.

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The Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and local medical officers of health, is enabling more regions of the province to enter Stage 2 of the government’s reopening framework. These regions are able to reopen due to positive trends of key public health indicators at the local level, including lower transmission of COVID-19, sufficient hospital health system capacity, local public health capacity to assist with rapid case and contact management, and a significant increase in testing provincially.

Informed by public health advice and workplace safety guidance, and supported by the collective efforts of businesses, workers and families to limit the potential spread of the virus, the latest public health unit regions allowed to move into Stage 2 on Friday, June 19 at 12:01 a.m. are:

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Durham Region Health Department

Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit

Halton Region Health Department

Hamilton Public Health Services

Lambton Health Unit

Niagara Region Public Health Department

York Region Public Health Services

“The Ontario Government, on the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, has moved the Haldimand-Norfolk Public Health Region to Stage 2 from Stage 1,” said Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett in a media release.

“I asked for further investigation into the outbreak on the farm and it has been determined the virus has been contained and there is less threat of spread to the community.”

These regions are in addition to the 24 public health regions that entered Stage 2 on June 12 (announced June 8), including Southwestern Public Health (Oxford and Elgin Counties). Before opening, business owners need to review workplace safety guidelines and public health advice.

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“Thanks to the collective efforts of our frontline health care workers and the people in these regions to stop the spread of COVID-19, more businesses will be able to open their doors and thousands of people will be able to go back to work and put food on the table,” said Premier Doug Ford. “With the public health trends improving day by day across the province, I am hopeful all regions of Ontario will enter Stage 2 very soon. But we must remain on our guard to prevent any potential surge or secondary wave by continuing to follow the sound advice of our public health officials.”

The following regions will remain in Stage 1 under ongoing assessment until trends of key public health indicators demonstrate readiness to move into Stage 2:

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Peel Public Health

Toronto Public Health

Windsor-Essex County Health Unit

“Opening more regions of Ontario is another positive sign that we are making steady progress in our collective efforts to contain this deadly virus,” said Minister Elliott. “As many more Ontarians begin to work, shop and interact with others, it’s never been more important that we continue to follow public health advice, especially physical distancing with anyone outside of our social circle, so we can soon successfully and safely move into Stage 3.”

Public health remains the government’s top priority. All Ontarians must continue to follow public health advice, including practicing physical distancing, wearing a face covering if physical distancing is a challenge, washing hands frequently and thoroughly, and avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth. If you think you have COVID-19 or have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19, get tested.

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The Chief Medical Officer of Health and health experts will continue to closely monitor the evolving situation to advise when public health restrictions can be gradually loosened or if they need to be tightened.

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The Tillsonburg Assessment Centre is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. To book an appointment for COVID-19 testing call 1-855-905-6148. Visitors to the assessment centre are required to wear a face mask. If you do not have a mask (cloth or disposable) when you arrive at the assessment centre, a mask will be provided.

Booking a testing appointment in the Haldimand Norfolk Health Unit region can be made by calling the COVID-19 line at 519-426-6170 ext. 9999 between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Callers are asked to indicate if they have symptoms including fever of 37.8 C or greater, new or worsening cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, difficulty swallowing, and loss of taste or smell. Symptoms may also include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, runny nose or nasal congestion. A member of the health unit team will return calls within two days to speak to individuals about scheduling an appointment.

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