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Mayors call for “predictability” on what will follow stay-at-home order

May 14, 2021   ·   0 Comments

Mayors from across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area are calling on the Province for greater “predictability” when it comes to Ontario’s current stay-at-home orders.

The current stay-at-home have been extended through June 2, but at the start of the week, municipal lawmakers were seeking more answers from the Ontario government.

“Today, Mayors and Chairs from the 11 largest municipal governments across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) held their regular weekly meeting to discuss the ongoing response to COVID-19 across the Region,” they said. “The GTHA Mayors and Chairs are asking the Province to provide predictability for the current Provincial stay-at-home order and what is to follow. As the Victoria Day long weekend approaches, people and businesses have begin to ask perfectly reasonable questions as to where things will stand as of that time, so they can make plans of all kinds – business and pleasure.

“Accordingly, we think it is important that the Ontario government communicate clearly and as soon as possible whether or not its order will be extended further or modified based on public health advice.”

The uncertainty of when the stay-at-home order will be lifted – and, indeed, what will follow – is not the only question being asked of the Provinces. Calls are growing louder from municipal lawmakers – particularly Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown – to allow outdoor sports and athletic activities to re-open, citing lack of evidence that these outdoor pursuits are contributing to the still-high case numbers of COVID-19.

The Small Urban GTHA Mayors group consists of the Mayors of Aurora, Bradford West Gwillimbury, the Township of Brock, the City of Burlington, the Towns of East Gwillimbury, Halton Hills, King, Newmarket, Orangeville, the Townships of Scugog and Uxbridge, and the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville.

VACCINE EXPANSION

On Monday, the Province announced further expansion of eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine.

As of May 11, individuals with at-risk health conditions such as dementia, diabetes and sickle cell disease, as well as people who cannot work from home, including grocery store, restaurant and transportation workers were eligible to book their appointments.

Further expansion will roll out on Thursday, May 13, with all individuals turning 40 or older in 2021 outside of hot spot communities eligible to receive the vaccine at mass immunization clinics through the Provincial booking systems and directly through public health units using their own.

““With a stable and predictable supply of vaccines, Ontario’s vaccine rollout continues to pick up speed, and we are on track to administer a first dose to 65 per cent of Ontario adults by the end of May,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “As we continue to vaccinate even more Ontarians, we remain focused on protecting those most at risk, and I want to thank all of our frontline health care workers for their tireless work each day to protect the health and safety of Ontarians.”

By Brock Weir

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