Hamilton will move into the COVID-19 red zone starting Monday
- Michael Kras
- 13 Nov 2020
The Ford government has announced that as of 12:01 am on Monday, Hamilton will be moved into the red zone of Ontario’s new tiered COVID-19 framework, which will see numerous restrictions tightened while the city grapples with a surge in local cases.
The announcement, made by Ontario Premier Doug Ford on Friday afternoon, comes at the same time as Hamilton crossed the threshold of more than 400 known active COVID-19 cases in the city for the first time since the pandemic began.
BREAKING: Premier Doug Ford has announced that Halton, York and Hamilton will be joining Toronto and Peel in the red zone as of 12:01 a.m. Monday.https://t.co/qV5R3QAqm6
— CP24 (@CP24) November 13, 2020
The red zone, labelled ‘Control’ on the province’s official guidelines, represents a return to a modified version of Stage Two of Ontario’s original reopening plan. It also consists of the most severe measures and restrictions short of a full lockdown with widescale business closures.
Notably, Ontario’s tiered COVID-19 framework has received criticism from public health officials, who have expressed that the thresholds between stages are too forgiving.
Hamilton residents are urged by public health to stay in their homes except for essential reasons such as groceries or medical appointments, to avoid gathering in groups of people outside your immediate household, and to wear a mask and socially distance when in public spaces.
The red zone also includes reduced capacities and tighter restrictions on numerous types of business, including restaurants & bars, fitness centres, and event spaces. Cinemas and other performing arts spaces are required to close their doors to audiences. Schools are allowed to remain open.
Premier Ford expresses that the province could be on the brink of a second lockdown. “I will not hesitate for a second if we have to go further because our number one priority is getting these numbers down,” said Ford.
Hamilton currently has 402 known active cases of COVID-19, with an overall total of 2,341 cases since the pandemic began. 60 of those cases have resulted in deaths.
Read more about the new restrictions on the Ontario website.
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