Province Announces Kawartha Lakes Going Into Coronavirus Yellow Zone On Monday

KAWARTHA LAKES-The Ontario government announced today that some new regions would be going into the Orange or Yellow Zone including Kawartha Lakes (Yellow) and the entire Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge (HKPR)District Health Unit.

The move comes amid rising cases in some part of the catchment area for HKPR and will mean new restrictions.

In an update to the Board of Health on Tuesday Dr Lynn Noseworthy our Medical Officer of Health told members we have seen an increase in the number of confirmed cases – in the past two weeks we have seen over 50 new cases, bringing us to a total of 331 cases in the region. We currently have six outbreaks, three in Northumberland County workplaces, two in congregate settings in Northumberland and one in a Northumberland school. There are only seven active cases in Kawartha Lakes.

Noseworthy also said neighbouring health units have seen the following increases in the past 14 days:
• • • • Hastings Prince Edward – 59 cases
      • Peterborough Public Health – 37 cases
      • Simcoe Muskoka – 413 cases
      • Durham Region – 860 cases

The change will come into effect on Monday December 7th.

With the move into the Yellow-Control level, some of the key changes include:

• Restaurants/bars must close at midnight.
• Alcohol can no longer be sold or served after 11 pm.
• A limit of six people can be seated at one table in restaurants
• Eateries and other select businesses must keep contact information for all patrons who dine in. Currently, restaurants only had to collect contact information for one person in the party.
• Gyms and fitness clubs must increase spacing between patrons to 3 metres (from 2 metres) in areas with weights or exercise equipment, as well as in exercise/fitness classes.

• The volume of music in stores and businesses must be low enough so a normal conversation is possible, and shouting is not required.
• Most businesses must now complete a COVID-19 safety plan and make it available upon request. 

The Health Unit will be distributing information about the new requirements under the Yellow-Protect level to local businesses and organizations. Information on the new colour category is also available at www.hkpr.on.ca

Officials say they have received some preliminary information about the vaccine and storage, but nothing concrete at this time and have struck an internal committee to review recommendations for roll out and plan our approach.