COVID-19 restrictions ease for Ottawa, Eastern Ontario and Leeds health units

As Ontario's economic reopening continues, the stay-at-home order has been lifted for our region.

As of 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, February 16, the Ottawa, Eastern Ontario and Leeds, Grenville and Lanark health units returned to the province's colour-coded COVID-19 ranking system, used prior to the province-wide lockdown that began on Boxing Day.
    
Ottawa and Eastern Ontario have moved back into the orange-restrict zone of the framework, meaning non-essential businesses — including bars and restaurants, gyms, cinemas and salons — can reopen with some restrictions.

Now that the lockdown is lifted, Ottawa Public Health is reminding the community to continue following safety guidelines, including wearing a mask, staying 2 m apart and washing hands, to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Until the COVID-19 Vaccine is widely available to all, we must do our part to stop the spread of COVID. Wear a mask. Stay 2m apart. Wash your hands. Get tested when needed. Learn more about the vaccine rollout: https://t.co/OpQaqROEG9 pic.twitter.com/OOT1xd5B66

— Ottawa Public Health (@OttawaHealth) February 15, 2021

The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit has entered the green-prevent zone, the least restrictive tier of the framework. However, even with the region entering the green zone, the health unit says it's important to continue to only have close contact with members of our own household. (link)

“We have done the hard work needed to get us here, and it's now up to all of us to ensure that the spread of COVID-19 does not resume in the community,” Smiths Falls Mayor Shawn Pankow said in a statement. “Now is the time to stay the course: wear a mask when indoors in public spaces, wash your hands and keep socializing within your household. Stay home when possible, stay safe and save lives.”

He adds that it's anticipated the province will continue to evaluate the situation across the province, particularly in relation to new and emerging strains of the virus. As the COVID-19 situation changes, he says, additional restrictions could be introduced or changed at any time. 

As for the rest of the province, the Niagara Region will be the only region to remain in the grey-lockdown zone, the strictest level of the framework. 

Toronto, Peel Region, York Region and North Bay Parry Sound are set to remain under the stay-at-home order until at least February 22.
     
Three health units, Hastings Prince Edward, Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox and Addington, and Renfrew County, returned to the green zone of the framework last week.

 

-With files from the Canadian Press.