Not only is York Region continuing to urge the province to keep it out of lockdown, but to also ease up on the red control zone restrictions for restaurants.
After weeks of discussion acknowledging that the region’s restaurant sector has been particularly hard hit by the measures in place to stem the spread of COVID-19, regional council decided today to ask the provincial health table to review the red zone restriction that caps indoor dining at 10 patrons, and replace it with a 50 per cent capacity limit as determined by local fire department and public health regulations.
“This is in keeping with what we’ve all discussed over the last number of weeks,” said Vaughan Regional Councillor Linda Jackson of the motion put forward by Whitchurch-Stouffville Mayor Iain Lovatt.
“Everyone is saying if we go into lockdown, it’s moot … but I think it’s important that the province knows how we feel.
“Our restaurant industry is being hit very hard… I think we need to at least show our business community, in particular our restaurants, that we care and that we’re doing whatever we can within the powers we have,” she added.
The request for review also suggests that tables should be three metres apart, or impermeable barriers installed between, that table seating be limited to four except for family units in the same household, and that closing be moved to 10:30 p.m., with last call at 10 p.m.
The decision came on the heels of medical officer of health Dr. Karim Kurji’s report that despite rising incidence rates and cases as York Region marks its 25th day in the red zone, he continues to recommend to Ontario's chief medical officer of health, Dr. David Williams, that moving the region into the lockdown stage of the province’s reopening framework would have minimal additional impact.
“We have been emphasizing that we are at the sweet point of increased enforcement, red zone controls, and good case contact and outbreak management, versus the mental health effects, social isolation effects, as well as the ruination of businesses,” Dr. Karim Kurji told regional council today.
“However, our seven-day metrics don’t really look good in that our incidence rates are rising,” he said. “And you have heard more recently, as well, that our hospitals are getting stressed.”
This week, the CEOs of Southlake Regional Health Centre, Mackenzie Health and Markham Stouffville Hospital issued a joint statement saying that their battle against COVID-19 had reached a “tipping point.”
“In terms of my discussions with the chief MOH, it seems to be that we are virtually going to go into lockdown, unless something else happens in their discussions,” Kurji said.
Modelling data commissioned by York Region Public Health had indicated last week that a lockdown would have minimal impact, and a reduction in incidence rates was anticipated, Kurji told council.
However, his initial review of new modelling data provided this week by Markham-based Scarsin Corporation “might lead us to revise our original assessments,” he told council.
“Given that our mobility hasn’t gone down, the conclusion is changing … that there would be some greater impact going into lockdown,” Kurji said, while adding further study of the data was needed.
And while there is no evidence of large outbreaks being linked to either restaurants or gyms in York Region, Kurji suggested it may not be the appropriate time to request looser restrictions for restaurants.
Many councillors echoed the concern regarding timing, including Newmarket Mayor John Taylor, who was one of three council members to vote against sending the request to the province.
“In principle, I don’t disagree with Mayor Lovatt’s thinking at all. I don’t think the timing is necessarily right. I do think it could be detrimental to the restaurants and businesses we’re trying to support.
“If (the province is) deciding today if we’re going into lockdown … it seems we’re sending a signal that we’re out of touch with where they’re at (by) advocating for looser restrictions in the red zone.”
Regional council unanimously approved Taylor’s motion to request that York Region isn’t moved to lockdown until after Dec. 24, should that ultimately be the province’s decision.
“Our business community would be incredibly grateful if they could be open for seven more days before Christmas,” he said.
