Doctor Wajid Ahmed is warning the public if they can not follow social distancing protocols in stage two, the region will have a bigger problem in phase three.
The Medical Officer of Health is not mincing words when it comes to the rising number of community cases in Windsor-Essex.
"There's a huge difference from stage two to stage three," said Ahmed pointing out the increase in the potential for community transmission of COVID-19 as the economy reopens. "So, if we are having some challenges right now understanding the message, we may have more challenges if we are in stage three."
Over the past seven days, 74 of the 228 new cases in the region have been through community contact. The virus is still more prevalent in the agri-food sector, but Ahmed admitted the rates of community infection are rising.
"The number of close contacts is increasing, which is of a concern," he said.
Asked what it would take for the region to move to stage three, Ahmed said it would be a provincial decision, but it is not out of the public's hands.
"As a community, we are still looking to make sure that we get it. We get the message," said Ahmed. "It is important that we do not lose sight to what we are trying to achieve."