The Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) is closely watching local COVID-19 case numbers, however the latest restrictions announced by the provincial government for Ottawa, Toronto and Peel will not be extended to the EOHU region at this time.

“We’re keeping a close eye on local spread of COVID-19, but at this time we feel that business closures aren’t necessary in the EOHU region,” says Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, Medical Officer of Health. “That said, in order to help keep our local businesses running, we need everyone to continue following public health measures to prevent the spread of the virus.”

Dr. Roumeliotis explains that recent local cases haven’t been linked to any of the areas that the province is imposing closures on. Instead, they’ve been due to close contact with confirmed cases or clusters that occurred locally following private gatherings where masks weren’t worn or public health measures weren’t followed. He adds that if there is a significant increase in the number of new COVID-19 cases, local closures may become necessary in the future.

Public must continue following public health measures to curb spread of COVID-19

In keeping with provincial recommendations, the EOHU is urging residents to do the following:

• As much as possible, limit your close contacts to people living in your own household, including over the Thanksgiving weekend.
• Limit trips outside of your home, except for essential purposes only such as work where it is not possible to work from home, school, grocery shopping, medical appointments, and outdoor healthy physical activity. In addition, travel to other regions in the province, especially from higher transmission to lower transmission areas, should only be for essential purposes.
• Practise physical distancing of at least two metres with those outside your household.
• Wear a face covering when physical distancing is a challenge or where it is mandatory to do so.
• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly.
• Follow gathering limits and rules.
• Stay home if you are sick.

For more information about how to protect yourself and your loved ones from COVID-19, check out the EOHU’s website at www.EOHU.ca/coronavirus.