The province-wide shutdown officially went into effect on Saturday, December 26, 2020, at 12:01 a.m.
Additional restrictions have been put into place and reinforce that Ontarians should stay at home as much as possible to minimize transmission of the COVID-19 virus and prevent hospitals from becoming overwhelmed, Provincial officials say.
More details about the province-wide shutdown can be found, here.
Chatham-Kent status: Province-wide shutdown
“COVID-19 is a serious health threat, and the situation is evolving daily,” Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit officials say.
“The risk will vary between and within communities, but given the increasing number of cases in Canada, the Government of Canada has deemed the risk to Canadians as high.
CK Public Health officials added: “This does not mean that all Canadians will get the disease. It means that there is already a significant impact on our health care system. If we do not flatten the epidemic curve now, the increase of COVID-19 cases could impact health care resources available to Canadians.”
CK Public Health is continuously monitoring the situation and proactively working with local, provincial and federal partners to manage and respond, local public health officials say.
CK Public Health officials say in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and other health experts, the Ontario government has developed the Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework.
It ensures that public health measures are targeted, incremental and responsive to help limit the spread of COVID-19, while keeping schools and businesses open, maintaining health system capacity and protecting vulnerable people, including those in long-term care, public health officials say.
Chatham-Kent is joining the Province-wide Shutdown for a period of 28 days.
“During this time, the Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework will be paused, and a framework specific to the shutdown will be engaged,” local public health officials say.
“It is still critical that you follow public health measures in place for your safety.”
This includes:
– Avoid social gatherings and limit close contacts to your household or the people you live with;
– Adhere to the restrictions in your region on public and private gatherings;
– Maintain two metres of physical distancing from everyone else;
– Wear a face covering indoors and wear one outdoors if physical distancing may not be maintained or if wearing one is required;
– Wash your hands thoroughly and regularly;
– Stay home if you have COVID-19 symptoms, even if they are mild;
– Cover your cough;
– Get tested if you have symptoms compatible with COVID-19, or if you’ve been advised of exposure by your local public health unit or through the COVID Alert mobile app;
– Individuals and families from higher transmission regions should avoid travel to lower transmission regions, except for essential reasons.
“This shutdown is a collective act made by all of Ontario to help bend the curve of the COVID-19 virus, and put the health and safety of all of us as a top priority,” CK Public Health officials said on social media.
“We can do this Chatham-Kent. Let’s continue help each other, be there for each other, and show folks what #LivingCK is all about.”
Chatham-Kent continues COVID-19 enforcement violation phone and email line
Chatham-Kent residents who have concerns about non-essential businesses, or indoor social gatherings can continue to report their concerns via phone or email.
To report a concern, individuals can call 519-360-1998, 24 hours a day, seven days a week or email Covid19enforcement@chatham-kent.ca
Emails and/or calls that will be investigated through this line include concerns related to:
– Non-essential businesses that are not closed;
– Social gatherings inside private dwellings – (No indoor organized public events and social gatherings, except with members of the same household (the people you live with). Individuals who live alone and single parents may consider having exclusive, close contact with another household to help reduce the negative impacts of social isolation);
– Weddings, funerals and other religious services, rites or ceremonies where physical distancing can be maintained: exceeding 10 persons indoors or outdoors;
– Outdoor organized public events and social gatherings exceeding 10 persons;
– Organized sports or other games where the six foot social distancing is not being achieved.
