As the province determines how businesses in COVID-19 hotspots will reopen, York Region is sending it a list of recommendations for strict adherence to existing public health requirements, as well as additional measures such masks being required in restaurants when diners aren't actively eating and and limiting numbers at gyms to 10 members at a time.
Premier Doug Ford is expected to speak with the Progressive-Conservative caucus at Queen's Park this afternoon, with an announcement expected on Tuesday outlining how restaurants, bars and gyms that were shut down in modified stage 2 can safely reopen.
York Region medical officer of health, Dr. Karim Kurji, presented a list of recommendations that York Region is submitting to the premier's office for consideration.
The recommendations are a good balance between the needs of public health and the economy of York Region, Kurji said.
"We all recognize that income is an important determinant of health, so public health measures must be balanced between preventing new cases of COVID-19 and not doing damage to people's sources of livelihood," said Kurji.
"Since we do not expect infection rates to come down anytime soon, we have had a task force look into ways that businesses can open more safely in the face of high COVID-19 rates. We are recommending to the province that they adopt some of these policies to help businesses in York Region."
Policies for all businesses
- To comply with all advice, recommendations and instructions from Kurji's office on how to screen for COVID-19.
- Having a comprehensive COVID-19 plan in place.
- Screen staff for the virus.
- Keep logs for every shift containing COVID-19 activity.
- Using natural or mechanical ventilation or workspaces that avoid recirculating air.
Policies for bars and restaurants
- All staff wear medical masks at all times in indoor and outdoor spaces, including areas where the public doesn't have access.
- Patrons should be wearing masks at all times, only taking them off to eat or drink. This also applies to indoor and outdoor dining areas.
- Screen customers and take their names, contact info, and the time and date of their arrival. This should be done for people picking up take out or working for delivery service as well.
- Patrons should keep masks on when interacting with serving staff.
- Use scheduled reservations as much as possible to control capacity.
- Set a time limit on sittings.
- Lower the background music, so people don't have to speak as loudly to hear each other.
- Reduce hours of operation.
Policies for gyms and recreation facilities.
- Adhere to physical distancing requirements of at least two metres.
- No drop-ins. All visits must be scheduled to control capacity at all times
- Screening and temperature checks for patrons.
- Collect names, contact information and time of visit.
- The maximum number of patrons is 10 people, and no more than one instructor per class.
- Maintain a cleaning schedule to disinfect all the equipment and spaces regularly.
- Keeping changing rooms open for bathroom use and storing items.
- Staggering simultaneous class times, so entry points and common areas are not crowded.
For the past several weeks, the number of new COVID-19 cases in the York Region has been increasing day by day, with no end in sight for the upward trend, Kurji said.
But Kurji said the latest data shows that the provincial government's move to place York Region and other hotspots under modified stage 2 restrictions has slowed the spread of the virus.
Oct. 19 data showed that the number of new cases has declined for people aged in their 20s and 50s, plateaued for people in their 40s, and is still rising for people in their 30s, although even that rate has slowed.
Kuji and the slowdown in new cases is because of the lack of indoor dining and gyms under stage 2. With that in mind, his recommendations aim to keep stage 2 benefits to public health while still allowing businesses to reopen.
Regional council adopted all of the recommendations, with a few amendments. There was considerable debate on a few specific points, even though the province is not obligated to follow any of them.
Kurji was asked if restaurant patrons' requirement to keep their masks on when not eating or drinking meant that people would have to replace their masks between bites or sips. The chief medical officer said that it did.
Richmond Hill Regional Councillor Carmine Perelli said this was unrealistic and counterproductive.
"We are already asking people not to be touching their face or their masks multiple times, so I think that's a problem."
York Region chairman Wayne Emmerson suggested that it should be interpreted as people keeping their masks on until their food arrives and replacing them as soon as they finish eating.
Another point of contention was the limit of 10 people inside a gym at one time would make larger gyms unprofitable. It was decided to recommend that the limit be 10 unless the gym's square footage allowed for more.
Lastly, it was decided that the recommendations would be amended to include a request that York Region reopens as quickly as possible, if not at the same time as Peel, Toronto and Ottawa, which entered modified stage 2 a week prior to York Region on Oct. 10.
