Newmarket-Aurora MPP, Ontario Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Christine Elliot writes a regular column for NewmarketToday about provincial initiatives and issues impacting our community:
Now that summer has arrived, I hope everyone in Newmarket and Aurora is enjoying the warmer weather and spending more time outdoors using the trails, parks and patios in our wonderful communities.
Every day, most Ontario public health units have been reporting fewer than five cases of COVID-19, with many of them reporting no new cases at all. Our collective efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 are working. That’s why on June 19, York Region was able to open more businesses and services as it entered stage 2 of reopening. This gradual, regional approach will help ensure we build on our successes as a province while ensuring we continue to protect the health and safety of all Ontarians.
How to stay safe and connected:
With more shops, businesses and amenities reopen, it’s important all Ontarians continue to follow public health advice, including practising physical distancing, wearing a face covering if physical distancing is a challenge, washing hands frequently and thoroughly, and avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Social circles and social gatherings of up to 10 people are safe ways to get back in touch with friends and family. Social circles allow close contact with the same 10 people. You can hug or visit without physical distancing. You must only belong to one social circle. Social gatherings can be with different groups of up to 10 people but still require physical distancing of two metres. You can enjoy a backyard barbeque or picnic in the park in a gathering. Visit here to learn more about how to safely create your own circle.
If you’re worried you have COVID-19 or have been exposed to it, you should get tested — even if you don’t have any symptoms. Visit Ontario.ca/assessmentcentres to find a COVID-19 assessment centre near you.
Shop local - Support local businesses:
This week, Ontario is celebrating International Small Business Week with the launch of the Shop Local! Shop Safe! Shop with Confidence! campaign. I encourage everyone in Newmarket-Aurora to support their local small businesses and shop safely.
Helping parents return to work:
As we reopen more businesses and services, we need to ensure supports are in place so people can return to work knowing their children will be cared for in a safe and healthy environment.
Child care centres and home care providers across Ontario have been allowed to reopen with strict safety and operational requirements in place. These centres will have specific public health rules, including cohorting, a COVID-19 response plan, screening, daily attendance records, cleaning, no visitors and implementing drop-off and pick-up protocols in a way that facilitates physical distancing.
The 2020-21 school year:
Ontario is preparing for the safe reopening of school in September. School boards and schools have been asked to plan for different scenarios in the fall to ensure students continue learning in the safest way possible. This plan will provide options for parents and can include sending their children back to the classroom, a modified classroom or enter online learning, depending on the public health situation at the time.
An adapted delivery model will be used, which could include attendance on alternate days or weeks, staggered bell times and recess, and different transportation arrangements to ensure the safety of students and staff.
To ensure schools are safe, the government is also investing $4 million for cleaning, cleaning protocols, and financial support to hire additional custodial staff for the upcoming school year.
Last week, the government also released the province's new elementary math curriculum to better prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow. The new curriculum will help students solve everyday math problems, enshrine financial literacy in the early grades, and ensure every student learns how to code. These are critical skills that will help our students prepare for and succeed in the modern world and in the modern workforce.
Finally, I want to congratulate all of the Newmarket-Aurora graduates on this great achievement. Your family, friends and community are incredibly proud of you. Keep learning, work hard, dream big, follow through and do your best. I wish you all great success with your future endeavours.
Please continue reach out to my constituency office with any provincial matters. My office is here to support you. Call at 905-853-9889 or email [email protected]
