The region’s medical officer of health tipped her hand 10 days ago that new COVID-19 restrictions are on the way.
Now Dr. Joyce Lock has a media briefing scheduled for Tuesday morning at which time she is expected to announce new capacity and distancing requirements for indoor public spaces.
The timing of the announcement follows Black Friday but is likely to impact the busy Christmas shopping period.
On Nov. 16, Dr. Lock said she was putting a plan in place.
As of Friday, there are 181 ongoing COVID-19 cases in the Southwestern Public Health region. Exactly one year ago, there were just 55 cases, with six in St. Thomas and two in Aylmer.
Dr. Lock advised keeping people physically distanced is critical to lowering case counts.
As of Friday, there are 13 COVID-19 hospitalizations across the region with three in ICU. Exactly one year ago, there were two hospitalizations with one in ICU.
The new restrictions will be contained in a letter of instruction to businesses and organizations in the Southwestern Public Health region.
Letters of instruction can be employed by the health unit to introduce restrictions not included in the Reopening Ontario Act that are deemed mandatory.
Two of Ontario’s public health units have already announced tightened COVID-19 restrictions.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts reinstated a work-from-home order and officials in the Kingston area limited indoor gatherings in homes to 10 people.
