Halton Medical Officer of Health Instructs Retailers to Control Crowding, Ensuring Strict 2-metre Distance & Capacity Limits in Stores & Spaces

COVID-19Halton Region
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*Please see below a media release issued by the Region of Halton.The Regional Municipality of HaltonFor Immediate ReleaseDecember 21, 2020Today, Halton Region Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Hamidah Meghani, issued additional instructions to owners and operators of shopping malls and retail stores in an effort to reduce crowding and limit the spread of COVID-19. The instructions to businesses are in effect as of 12:00 p.m. today. The focus over the coming days will be on education and progressive enforcement.

"With the holiday season in full swing and our retail spaces and malls remaining open, I am issuing additional instructions to retailers ahead of anticipated higher volumes of shoppers this week. Owners and operators must maintain capacity limits and physical distancing in retail spaces, common areas and indoor/outdoor line-ups to create safer spaces for both employees and patrons. Our region is surrounded by areas in lockdown which will increase the number of visitors from neighbouring regions to our stores. It is more important than ever that we follow public health measures and I am hopeful that residents outside our region stay home or shop for essentials in their own community." -- Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Halton Region Medical Officer of Health

Instructions issued by Dr. Meghani are intended to supplement the Regulations under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020 (ROA). Today’s instructions require that that all persons who own and/or operate one or more shopping malls and/or one or more retail stores in Halton region manage and actively monitor capacity to maintain adequate physical distancing. This is in addition to public health measures and regulations already in placeDr. Meghani is also reminding all residents of their civic responsibilities to protect themselves and others.

"Patrons are also responsible for following all rules and protecting each other. In addition to wearing your mask, if you are shopping in person please keep a two metre (six foot) distance from others at all times. This means being patient and courteous when shopping, waiting your turn to select items at grocery stores, following the directional arrows marked in store aisles, staying two metres apart in all line-ups and accepting that your trip may take a little longer than usual. Please take your responsibilities seriously and please continue to be kind to one another." -- Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Halton Region Medical Officer of Health

Halton Region also continues to urge all residents to find alternative ways to shop local and stay safe – shop online or by phone, get curbside pick-up or delivery.To learn more about COVID-19 and public health direction, please visit halton.ca/COVID19. For business owners and operators who require more information please visit Halton Region’s COVID-19 Resources for Businesses webpage, email smallbusiness@halton.ca or call 311.—PLEASE NOTE: To stay updated on what the City of Burlington is doing regarding COVID-19, please visit the dedicated pages burlington.ca/coronavirus (and subscribe) and bit.ly/mayormeedwardCOVID19updates, and our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page — bit.ly/COVID19BurlingtonFAQ that are updated as new information becomes available.

A consolidated page for information and updates on the work of the provincial Ministers’ COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task Force is available at bit.ly/COVIDVaccineUpdates.

A Burlington COVID-19 Task Force has been created to help support our community through this unprecedented emergency — updates will be provided at burlington.ca/COVID19taskforce.To report an incident of non-compliance with provincial emergency orders, please contact the Halton Regional Police Service COVID-19 Hotline: 905-825-4722.We’ve also created a dedicated page to feature the local organizations and businesses that have inspired us during the COVID-19 pandemic by taking action to support our community in new and creative ways — head to bit.ly/covidwallofinspiration.HELPFUL RESOURCES & RELATED LINKS:

--*Posted by John Bkila, Mayor's Media and Digital Communications Specialist

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