By Chad Ingram
The provincial government announcedMonday that as of 12:01 a.m. Friday June 12 a number of businesseswill be able to re-open at least in modified fashion in communitiesoutside the Toronto area as the province enacts Stage 2 of itsCOVID-19 recovery process in those areas.
Included on the list is the areacovered by the Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit.
“In consultation with the chiefmedical officer of health and local health officials the governmentis easing restrictions in communities where it is safe to do sobased on trends of key public health indicators such as lower ratesof transmission increased capacity in hospitals and progress madein testing” reads a press release from the province.
As of Friday outdoor dine-in servicesat restaurants bars and other establishments may resume with properhealth and safety protocols in place. Also on the list are personalcare services such as barber shops and hair salons beauty salons andtattoo parlours. Tours including biking walking bus and boat tours as well as tasting tours atwineries breweries and distilleries may resume. Recreational waterfacilities such as splash pads wading pools and swimming pools mayreopen with protocols in place as well as outdoor recreationalfacilities for team sports with processes in place to enablephysical distancing. Camping at private campgrounds as well as beachaccess and camping at
provincial parks will also bepermitted to resume.
“The health and long-term economicwell-being of the people of Ontario has guided every decision we havemade in response to COVID-19” Rod Phillips Minister of Financeand chairman of the Ontario Jobs and Recovery Committee said in astatement. “The people and employers of Ontario have demonstratedresponsible behaviour throughout the global pandemic. I’m confidentthat will continue in Stage 2 and beyond. Our collective health andthe economic recovery of the province depend on it.”
The release also indicates the provincewill soon be releasing information on the reopening of daycaressummer camps and public transit.
