Today, the Province — in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and other health experts — announced its COVID-19 Response Framework to help ensure that public health measures are targeted, incremental and responsive to help limit the spread of COVID-19, while keeping schools and businesses open, maintaining health system capacity and protecting vulnerable people, including those in long-term care.
CLICK HERE for the COVID-19 Response Framework Ontario Government Presentation
This is a great step forward and I am happy to support the provincial government’s framework.
We certainly welcome this approach as it is what we (as Halton’s mayors, chair and municipalities) and our communities and local businesses advocated for — we truly appreciate the collaboration.
We also appreciated the brief advanced noticed we received of this news before it went out from Deputy Ontario Premier and Minister of Health, the Hon. Christine Elliot, and Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams.
MY TAKE:
In addition to the targeted, evidence-based approach, I asked the Province to be consistent across Ontario’s municipalities, regulate so there isn’t a different set of rules for each venue (e.g. fitness centres, etc.) and enforce. I also noted municipalities need more funding and help with regards to enforcement of violations of Provincial COVID-19 regulations. Local bylaw enforcement officers cannot cope alone.
In addition, I noted to the Province that the City of Burlington is ready to help increase testing capacity and that we were holding our Nelson Arena/Recreation Centre to assist with that until it was put on hold by the Province — and that facility is still ready to be used as a testing site.
RELATED LINKS:
- Ontario Government Media Release: Ontario Releases COVID-19 Response Framework to Help Keep the Province Safe and Open
- COVID-19 Response Framework Ontario Government Presentation
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PLEASE NOTE: To stay updated on what the City of Burlington is doing regarding COVID-19, please visit the dedicated pages burlington.ca/coronavirus (and subscribe) and bit.ly/mayormeedwardCOVID19updates, and our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page — bit.ly/COVID19BurlingtonFAQ that are updated as new information becomes available.
A Burlington COVID-19 Task Force has been created to help support our community through this unprecedented emergency — updates will be provided at burlington.ca/COVID19taskforce.
To report an incident of non-compliance with provincial emergency orders, please contact the Halton Regional Police Service COVID-19 Hotline: 905-825-4722.
We’ve also created a dedicated page to feature the local organizations and businesses that have inspired us during the COVID-19 pandemic by taking action to support our community in new and creative ways — head to bit.ly/covidwallofinspiration.
HELPFUL RESOURCES & RELATED LINKS:
- Community questions and requests regarding City of Burlington services can be directed to Service Burlington by phone at 905-335-7777, by email at city@burlington.ca or online.
- Halton Region has created a Reopening Schools resource webpage for parents, students and teachers at halton.ca/covid19.
- For further COVID-19 information, including where to get tested, please visit Halton Region Public Health halton.ca/coronavirus
- Residents can stay informed at burlington.ca/coronavirus as well as on our social media channels: @cityburlington on Twitter and facebook.com/cityburlington
- Questions about the cancellation of Recreation programs can be directed to rentals@burlington.ca or liveandplay@burlington.ca or 905-335-7738
- City of Burlington: www.burlington.ca/coronavirus
- Resources for Residents & Non-Profit Organizations: www.burlington.ca/covid19resources.
- Halton Region: www.halton.ca/coronavirus
- Government of Ontario: www.ontario.ca/coronavirus
- Provincial Emergency Orders: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/200052
- Government of Canada: www.canada.ca/coronavirus
- World Health Organization: www.who.int
- Joseph Brant Hospital: josephbranthospital.ca/covid-19
- Team Burlington Business Supports: burlingtonchamber.com/team-burl-supporting-burl-business-during-covid-19/
- Burlington Food Bank: call 905-637-CARE (2273), or visit burlingtonfoodbank.ca
- Food for Life: call 905-635-1106 and press 7, or visit foodforlife.ca
- Canadian Mental Health Association – Halton Branch: call 289-291-5396, or visit halton.cmha.ca