A brick sign welcoming drivers to Windsor is seen at Walker Road near the 401 on March 7, 2016.A brick sign welcoming drivers to Windsor is seen at Walker Road near the 401 on March 7, 2016.
Windsor

Finally, Stage 3 for Windsor-Essex

The Ontario government has announced Windsor-Essex will be allowed to move to Stage 3 of reopening its economy as of 12:01 a.m. Wednesday.

The decision was based on the number of daily new cases, hospital capacity, an increase in testing, and case and contact management.

Over the weekend, the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit reported just 11 new cases. There was only one case on Friday.

Windsor-Essex was the last region in Ontario in Stage 2 before Monday's announcement.

"Thanks to the collective efforts of our frontline health care workers, public health experts, and the people of Windsor-Essex, more businesses can hang up their 'Open for Business' sign, and more people can go back to work," said Premier Doug Ford.

In Stage 3, gyms will be allowed to open, and bars and restaurants will be allowed to have a limited number of patrons inside their establishments. Indoor social gatherings will be limited to 50 people, up from the 10, currently. Outdoor gatherings will be limited to 100.

The Chief Medical Officer of Health and public health experts will continue to monitor the situation in Windsor-Essex and across the province before announcing a further easing of restrictions.

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