Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter has urged Ontario to take an evidence-based and targeted approach backed by data and health evidence when enacting measures and restrictions.
On November 23, the province announced further restrictions for Durham Region, with all municipalities in the region moving into the Red-Control category of the provincial framework.
“I am urging the province to take a targeted approach that is based on data and is sector specific rather than implementing broad-scale restrictions across entire regions comprised of numerous municipalities,” said Mayor Carter.
“The province must take a close look at the region’s Covid-19 active case numbers to identify the sources of transmission. It is critical that the data be used to make sector-specific restrictions and to determine if local restrictions – especially those that are having a huge impact on our restaurants and local businesses – can be reduced,” said Mayor Carter in a video release.
“Oshawa businesses have been following health authority guidelines and government orders throughout this pandemic and a blanket approach is hurting our local economy and directly impacting small business owners in our city,” stressed Mayor Carter.
“We truly appreciate the adjustments our local businesses are making to keep community members and patrons safe and to support our local economy,” he said.
“To all our community members, I encourage you to support local and buy local whenever you can. Continue to help stop the spread – maintain physical distancing, wear a mask, wash your hands frequently, and download the Covid Alert App,” added Mayor Carter.
He urged residents to stay vigilant and stop the spread of Covid-19.
Broader-scale measures
Mayor Carter said broader-scale measures and restrictions are being implemented to control transmission in the city and notes these measures are in place for the health and safety of community members and to avoid a lockdown of the local economy.
Mayor Carter urges everyone to follow health authority guidelines and government orders by committing to these four steps to help stop the spread:
- Stay home – limit trips outside of home to essential reasons like work, school, grocery shopping and medical appointments.
- Stay apart – Maintain two metres distance from anyone who doesn’t live with you or is not your essential caregiver.
- Mask up – Wear a non-medical mask when it is difficult to maintain physical distance and where masks are mandatory.
- Lather up – Wash your hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer.
Community members are reminded to download the COVID Alert app.