Chatham-Kent is following suit with the most recent enhanced public health measures issued by the Chief Medical Officer of Health to help contain the spread of COVID-19.
Chatham-Kent’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. David Colby, is directing the following to take place immediately across Chatham-Kent:
– The closures of all bars, dine-in restaurants, nightclubs and theatres. Businesses that provide food takeout and delivery options are encouraged to keep those options available to continue to provide the public with food options while limiting social interactions between people.
– The ban of all gatherings of 50 or more people (included in that maximum are the number of staff in place to support the event)
– The closures of all churches and other faith settings
“I am pleading that each resident to do their part,” Dr. Colby said in a media release.
“Every single person across Chatham-Kent, regardless of age or any other factors, should be diligently increasing their social distance to decrease their exposure to themselves and others. Staying apart from one another, physically, will in fact be one of the most selfless acts of solidarity for residents of this community. It is absolutely vital.”
In addition to following the above mentioned directions, Municipal officials say:
– Residents are also asked to avoid close contact with people outside of their immediate families.
– Residents aged 70 years and older should self-isolate, only leaving their home for reasons that are absolutely essential.
– Those who have compromised immune systems are also asked to self-isolate, utilizing services over the phone or internet if possible.
– If you have travelled outside of Canada, including travel to the United States and you are not an essential healthcare worker or an essential service worker, you are to self isolate for 14 days following your arrival in Canada. If there is any room for interpretation as to whether or not you are an essential worker in your workplace, you must reach out to your employer for confirmation before your next scheduled work shift.
– All employers are strongly encouraged to make virtual work arrangements for their employees wherever possible. This will allow those employees the opportunity to limit their daily interactions, care for their children and self isolate.
If you are a resident of Chatham-Kent and you begin to feel unwell at any time (fever, new cough or difficulty breathing) you are to return home and begin self-isolating immediately. Those who are unwell and need to seek health assessment are asked to utilize the resources available to them:
– Self Assessment Tool available at: https://www.ontario.ca/page/2019-novel-coronavirus.
– Telehealth Ontario at 1.866.797.0000 (available 24/7).
– Contacting your healthcare provider to receive virtual assessment by phone or other technology. If you do not have a healthcare provider, call CK Public Health’s COVID-19 intake line at 519.355.1071 X 1900.
The closures in this directive are in addition to the following closures that have already taken place across Chatham-Kent, including:
– All municipal pools, arenas, community centres and libraries and museums
– All recreational programs, camps and activities
– All schools and all licensed childcare facilities
– All EarlyOn centres
Any residents with questions regarding COVID-19 are asked to visit www.ckpublichealth.com/covid19 or email covid19@chatham-kent.ca.
