In order to further limit the number of COVID-19 infections in the region, the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) has issued three new Orders for businesses deemed essential, pursuant to section 22 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act (HPPA).

The Orders, which come into effect at 11:59 P.M. on April 29^th, are part of the health unit’s continuing effort to limit the number of cases of COVID-19 across the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, the United Counties of Prescott and Russell, and the City of Cornwall.

“I have issued these Orders today as it is crucial for the community to continue to adhere to public health measures aimed at limiting the spread of COVID-19,” says Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, Medical Officer of Health at the EOHU. “The measures we put in place up to now are working and we’re succeeding at flattening the curve, but we’re not out of the woods yet.”

Amended Order for Owners, Operators, and Administrators of Essential Businesses

The EOHU has issued an Order for the following essential businesses, which amends the Order issued on April 3^rd:

• Supermarkets and grocery stores
• Convenience stores
• Discount and big box retailers selling groceries
• Beer, wine and liquor stores
• Pharmacies
• All other businesses that allow, pursuant to the EMCPA, public access to the place of business including places where members of the public are served in person

The new Order increases the number of retailers that must adhere to measures aiming to ensure crowd control, implementing hygiene/disinfectant procedures, the screening and training of employees, and other measures to limit the spread of COVID-19. Full details of the Order are available at www.EOHU.ca.

Orders for Businesses Offering Curb Side Pick-Up and Drive-Through Services

The EOHU has also issued two new Orders for all businesses offering curb side pick-up and drive-through services.

Businesses offering curb side pick-up as an alternative method of sale must adopt measures to ensure crowd control in the pick-up area, proper hygiene/disinfection procedures for employees and the packages they are delivering, as well as screening and training procedures for staff.

Restaurants that provide drive-through services must adhere to similar measures to ensure the safety of all staff and clients.

For more information about the Orders issued by Dr. Roumeliotis, please consult the official documents on the EOHU’s website.

For more information about COVID-19, please consult EOHU.ca/coronavirus and Ontario’s website at Ontario.ca/coronavirus.