"We are not immune here in northern Ontario. We cannot let up on the gas when it comes to fighting COVID-19."
This from Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli, who is calling on his constituents — and all Ontarians — to heed the warnings of Premier Doug Ford and the province's medical experts.
"Over the course of this past week and this coming week, the Premier is breaking down our announcements into a series of daily announcements," said Fedeli on Friday. "Please pay attention to the updated guidelines that the province is presenting because they are changing on an almost daily basis."
Fedeli's comments came heading into the weekend, prior to Monday's surge in positive COVID-19 test results, as health officials were about to confirm publicly the second wave of the virus is upon Ontario.
"Do not become complacent," Fedeli warned. "Just because we have a smaller amount of cases in the north, please, you've got to acknowledge the fact that you need to practise social distancing, you need to wear your mask, you need to continue to wash your hands and keep your hands away from your face."
"We know that we're in the second wave and we know that it will be worse than the first wave," Ford said during his address Monday. "What we don't know yet is how bad the second wave will be."
Ford added, "Everything is on the table," as Ontario attempts to flatten the curve of the second wave.
Dr. David WIlliams, Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health said Monday the focus would be on the areas with the surging cases, continuing the regional approach in combating the virus by the provincial government. Williams observed the recent spikes in cases are centred on up to five highly-populated urban areas.
"Nobody wants [a lockdown] to happen," responded Fedeli when asked about further restrictions. "We'll follow the science, we'll listen to the advice of Dr. Williams. But, we've got to flatten that curve."
Last week, after initially targeting parts of Ontario with increased positive cases, the province reduced the maximum number of people permitted to attend organized public events and social gatherings, except where the event is held at a place operated by a business or organization to 10 people indoors (previous limit of 50) and 25 people outdoors (previous limit of 100) in all regions.
See related story: OPP enforcing updated rules on social gatherings
"What we've seen are higher pressure points in other communities," offered Fedeli. "As the Premier has said, sometimes they just break the rules and we see these outbreaks."
This past weekend, adult entertainment clubs were forced to close across the province and restaurants, bars, and other food and drink businesses are now operating under restricted business hours and alcohol-selling guidelines.
Fedeli added, "I think Premier Ford prefers a regional solution but sometimes the announcements need to take place over the entire province. We are absolutely not immune here in northern Ontario. We have increased traffic flow, we have increased visitors. We do need to make adjustments that are province-wide."
