How many lockdowns? Timeline of COVID-19 restrictions in Windsor-Essex
On the brink of the latest COVID-19 measures being implemented in Ontario, here’s a look at how these restrictions compare to others in Windsor-Essex since the start of the pandemic.
The region has been through three previous lockdowns/shutdowns and various stages of opening and closing over the past 22 months. While the provincial government is calling the new measures a ‘modified’ version of Step 2 of reopening and not a ‘lockdown’, the restrictions are still widespread.
TIMELINE:
March 11, 2020 – Pandemic declared by World Health Organization.
March 19, 2020 - WECHU reports first COVID-19 case in region
March 20, 2020 - City of Windsor declares state of emergency, malls closed
May 11, 2020 – After two months, many Windsor retail stores with a street entrance reopened for curbside pickup or delivery.
STAGES:
May 19, 2020 - Province announces the first stage of the 're-start phase' towards re-opening Ontario’s economy and a slew of businesses from retail to recreation facilities are ramping back up after a months-long shutdown due to COVID-19.
What's open and closed in Windsor, Ont., starting May 20, 2020.
May 20, 2020 - Windsor reopens dog parks, some outdoor sports amenities, picnic sites, benches and shelters in parks and recreational areas.
June 25, 2020 – Windsor-Essex moves to Stage Two: Leamington and Kingsville excluded. Hair salons and restaurants reopen.
July 7, 2020 – Leamington and Kingsville joins Stage Two: last in province.
Aug 12, 2020 – Windsor-Essex moves to Stage 3 reopening, gyms reopen
Sept 10, 2020 - Students back to school first time in six months
Sept 28, 2020 – Ford declares province is in second wave
COLOURS:
Nov 3, 2020 – Color-coded approach introduced: Windsor starts in green
Adjustments made to the thresholds in the Ontario government's COVID-19 Response Framework on Nov. 13, 2020.
Nov 16, 2020 - Move to yellow zone
Nov 23, 2020 - Move to orange zone
Nov 30- Move to red zone
Dec 16, 2020 - Move to grey zone: lockdown 2.0
Dec 11. 2020 – Health unit orders closure of schools.
Feb 12, 2021 - Back to red zone, reopening of indoor dining, gyms and salons with restrictions and capacity limits.
JC Mahler works out at Refine Fitness in Windsor, Ont. on Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020. (Michelle Maluske/CTV Windsor)
Feb 8, 2021 - Schools resume in-class learning.
Feb 16, 2021- Stay-at-home order lifted.
March 23, 2021 - Ford 'concerned' about third wave of COVID-19, says another Ontario lockdown would be 'absolutely terrible'
April 1, 2021 - Emergency brake shutdown starts in Windsor-Essex, indoor dining at restaurants, non-essential retail and gyms close.
April 12, 2021 –The province closed Windsor-Essex schools and any other schools that weren’t already closed indefinitely.
STEPS:
May 20, 2021 – Ontario nixes colour framework. Windsor-Essex will be grouped with the rest of the province as it rolls out the new three-step reopening plan.
Ontario's reopening roadmap (Supplied: Government of Ontario)
June 2, 2021 - Windsor-Essex schools to remain closed for in-class learning, province considers reopening businesses sooner
June 7, 2021: Province announces reopening of Step One is being bumped up to June 11. Patios, non-essential retail with an outdoor entrance and outdoor fitness with 10 people is allowed.
June 30, 2021 - Haircuts allowed, malls reopen as Windsor-Essex moves to Step 2
July 16, 2021 - Indoor dining, gyms, cinemas reopen as Windsor-Essex moves to Step 3 ahead of schedule
July 23, 2021 - Hundreds return to work as Caesars Windsor reopens
Caesars Windsor (Melanie Borrelli, CTV Windsor)
Oct. 22, 2021 - Ontario releases long-term COVID-19 reopening plan: What it means for Windsor-Essex
Dec. 5, 2021 - WECHU issues additional COVID-19 measures
Dec. 7, 2021 - Ontario extends pause on reopening plan indefinitely as COVID-19 situation worsens
Dec. 16, 2021 - Windsor-Essex students asked to take home items in case schools close after holiday break
Dec. 17, 2021 - Ontario introduces new restrictions as COVID-19 cases rise
Dec. 30, 2021 - Ontario reducing capacity limits at large spectator venues to 1,000 people
Jan. 3, 2022 - New COVID-19 restrictions for Windsor-Essex under 'modified' Step 2 of reopening
Jan. 3, 2022 - Ontario will not reopen schools for in-person learning for two weeks
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