London and Middlesex County will soon be one step away from a lockdown.
The Province of Ontario announced on Friday afternoon that the London region will move into the Red-Control level of the COVID-19 Response Framework. The move takes effect at 12:01 a.m. Monday and comes just a week after the region was elevated to the Orange-Restrict level.
Moving the London region into the red zone was anticipated by Medical Officer of Health Dr. Chris Mackie, who confirmed the area was meeting most of the criteria such a move requires.
“Earlier this week, we certainly were talking about the possibility of moving into red on Monday,” Mackie said during his daily COVID-19 briefing Thursday. “The decision would be Friday with implementation Monday. I think with the continuing new record high case counts that’s becoming more and more likely.”
Cases have been on the rise across the region in recent weeks and hit a new record high of 52 new infections Thursday, up from 47 the previous day. Mackie called it a “concerning milestone.” Only about six of the 52 new cases were related to an ongoing outbreak at University Hospital, three were linked to international travel, a dozen were not traceable and the rest were due to household contact with a confirmed case.
On Friday, the health unit reported 33 new cases and one death.
Tighter restrictions under the red level include:
-Limits for all organized public events and social gatherings: 5 people indoors 25 people outdoors -Restaurant and bars will be limited to ten customers indoors. Dancing, singing, and live music performances prohibited -Gyms and fitness centres limited to 10 people in indoor areas with weights and exercise machines, ten people in all indoor classes or 25 people in outdoor classes. No team sports except for training (no games or scrimmages) -All movie theatres and performing arts facilities would have to close, expect drive-ins cinemas
Restrictions on things like weddings, funerals, and church services will remain as they were under the Orange-Restrict level. The same restrictions will also remain on bars and restaurants (no alcohol sales after 9 p.m. and they must close by 10 p.m.). Tattoo parlours, salons, and spas will still be prohibited from performing services that require the removal of masks.
What impact the increased restrictions that accompany the move into Red-Control will depend largely on how citizens respond to it, according to Dr. Mackie.
“The effectiveness of enhanced measures depends very heavily on whether they’re taken up by the population or not,” said Mackie. “If people don’t change how they’re gathering in their homes with friends, family, neighbours, then the restrictions really have a limited impact. We absolutely need the support and cooperation of the people of London and Middlesex in order to get this under control.”