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Mayor’s Message on COVID-19 – September 22, 2020

Mayor’s Message on COVID-19 – September 22, 2020

Hello everyone, week 27 for my messages.

Predictably, the news is not good from parts of Ontario, Canada and the world on COVID-19 infections.

In Ontario, yesterday saw 425 new cases which is the highest number in three months. Again, primarily, in large urban centres in the Toronto and Ottawa areas.

Locally, Manitoulin saw one new case and in the Greater Sudbury area several more cases, but overall this is not unexpected.

In Quebec, with 586 new cases, officials say that the second wave is under way.

In Canada we have now had three straight days of over 1000 new cases. The most recent number was 1307.

The United Kingdom is implementing further COVID-19 rules to stem the large rise in infections (4000 cases yesterday). Bars/restaurants will be closed and workers are being encouraged to work from home if possible. It is expected these new restrictions will last for many months.

Globally, over 31 million people have now been confirmed infected and at 965,000 deaths, no one should need further convincing of the need to follow the guidelines diligently.

Effective September 19, 2020, in Ontario the new maximum number of people permitted to attend an organized public event or social gathering, except where the event is held at a place operated by a business or organization in accordance with Ontario Regulation 364/20, is reduced to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors. These new rules do not apply to “monitored” social gatherings or organized public events whom are mandated to follow very specific public health and safety guidelines to minimize risk and limit any spread of COVID-19.

The next few weeks will likely show whether we can arrest the increase across our country.

Stay safe everyone.

Ian