Ontario Releases COVID-19 Response Framework of Preventative Measures to help avoid Broader Closures

COVID-19
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Today, the Province -- in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and other health experts -- announced its COVID-19 Response Framework to help ensure 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.

CLICK HERE for the COVID-19 Response Framework Ontario Government Presentation

This is a great step forward and I am happy to support the provincial government's framework.We certainly welcome this approach as it is what we (as Halton's mayors, chair and municipalities) and our communities and local businesses advocated for -- we truly appreciate the collaboration.We also appreciated the brief advanced noticed we received of this news before it went out from Deputy Ontario Premier and Minister of Health, the Hon. Christine Elliot, and Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams.MY TAKE:In addition to the targeted, evidence-based approach, I asked the Province to be consistent across Ontario's municipalities, regulate so there isn't a different set of rules for each venue (e.g. fitness centres, etc.) and enforce. I also noted municipalities need more funding and help with regards to enforcement of violations of Provincial COVID-19 regulations. Local bylaw enforcement officers cannot cope alone.In addition, I noted to the Province that the City of Burlington is ready to help increase testing capacity and that we were holding our Nelson Arena/Recreation Centre to assist with that until it was put on hold by the Province -- and that facility is still ready to be used as a testing site.RELATED LINKS:

—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 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:

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Halton Medical Officer of Health Issues Statement in Response to Province’s new COVID-19 Response Framework
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