The health unit for London and Middlesex County has decided to drop all but one of its COVID-19 orders now that enhanced provincial restrictions are in effect.
The Middlesex-London Health Unit announced on Thursday that following a review, it will be rescinding several of the Section 22 Orders that were issued over the summer, which have become redundant under the Ontario government's new COVID-19 framework.
“The new provincial framework addresses many of our local challenges,” Medical Officer of Health Dr. Chris Mackie said. “The restrictions we are keeping in place are highly aligned with the provincial framework.”
The London-Middlesex region is currently under the Yellow/Protect level of the government's COVID-19 Response Framework, which the health unit said provides substantial safety measures in many sectors.
The Section 22 actions that will be lifted include orders for transit and hired vehicles, for personal care service establishments, and for the food and drink sector. A health unit instruction related to masking in all enclosed public spaces is also being lifted, but a municipal bylaw mandating masks in London remains in effect.
The selected Section 22 orders will no longer be in effect as of 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, however, with the provincial framework currently in effect, many restrictions will still be in place.
The health unit said its Section 22 Class Order for indoor recreation facilities will remain in effect for the time being. The order will be reassessed in four weeks.