Premier Doug Ford addresses the media at Queens Park in Toronto, accompanied by Health Minister Christine Elliott and Education Minister Stephen Lecce, June 19, 2020. Image courtesy CPAC/YouTube.Premier Doug Ford addresses the media at Queens Park in Toronto, accompanied by Health Minister Christine Elliott and Education Minister Stephen Lecce, June 19, 2020. Image courtesy CPAC/YouTube.
Windsor

Leamington and Kingsville moving to Stage 2 of reopening

Leamington and Kingsville are moving to Stage 2 of the provincial reopening as of 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday.

"Outbreaks in the community have been contained, community transmission is low and we have the resources for testing and contact tracing. Again I want to thank the mayors and all the great people of Leamington and Kingsville for working with us this period," said Ontario Premier Doug Ford on Monday.

Kingsville Mayor Nelson Santos said this is very welcome news for small businesses in the community.

"It's also a good sign as it recognizes the spread of COVID has been managed and is being monitored within the community to a level that provided this confidence so it's definitely good news at the end of the day," said Santos.

The Town of Kingsville is working on a pilot project to close some main streets on the weekends to allow businesses and restaurants to expand patios.

"We'll be looking this week to finalize a lot of those plans so that we can actually try to initiate the first weekend under this pilot project," said Santos.

Ford said now that the communities are moving to Stage 2 he’s coming to visit the community soon.

"I'm in desperate need of a hair cut so I'm going to be down there, let's pick a barber somewhere in Leamington or Kingsville and I just can't wait to go down and thank the people personally," said Ford.

The Town of Kingsville is still finalizing details on what the move to Stage 2 will mean for municipal services in the town.

-With files from Maureen Revait

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