WINDSOR

Windsor-Essex excluded from Stage 2 of Ontario’s reopening plan

Melanie Borrelli

Melanie Kentner CTV Windsor Multi-Skilled Journalist / Digital Lead

@mkentnerctv Contact

Published Monday, June 8, 2020 1:33PM EDT Last Updated Monday, June 8, 2020 6:56PM EDT

Text:

WINDSOR, ONT. -- Windsor-Essex is excluded from Stage 2 of the provincial plan of reopening announced on Monday.

The provincial government announced a regional approach to the next stage of reopening Ontario.

Restrictions are being eased in certain communities where the province deems it is safe to do so, based on trends of key public health indicators such as lower rates of transmission, increased capacity in hospitals, and progress made in testing.

Even though Windsor-Essex is excluded, nearby Chatham-Kent is permitted to move into Stage 2, which includes the reopening of hair salons and restaurants.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says residents will still be allowed to travel between regions.

“They can travel, but when it comes to haircuts, I’m hanging in there,” says Ford, who added he’s not getting his hair cut until it’s considered safe in his region.

These are the businesses that can reopen in regions entering Stage 2.

Windsor salon owner still waiting

The owner of Two Waves Beauty Bar says she has been spending her downtime reconfiguring the shop to make it safe for workers and clients.

Colleen Lippert says despite having no recent revenue, the salon has made adjustments to its operation, including putting up barriers in between all service stations. She says they are ready to open.

“My hopes were high I was very excited about the onslaught of phone calls we were possibly going to get people trying to get in,” says Lippert. “We do offer an online booking so a lot of people are pre-booking even though we don’t have a firm open date.”

Social gatherings increase to 10

Effective Friday, June 12, at 12:01 a.m., the province will increase the limit on social gatherings from five to 10 people across the province, regardless of whether a region has moved to Stage 2.

Additionally, all places of worship in Ontario will also be permitted to open with physical distancing in place and attendance limited to no more than 30 per cent of the building capacity to ensure the safety of worshippers.

At the beginning of each week, the government will provide an update on the ongoing assessment of these regions, and whether they are ready to move into Stage 2 at the end of the week.

Windsor-Essex, Toronto and the other regions excluded from the list will remain in Stage 1 of the restart phase.

Ford says they don’t make a move in a local region without consulting the local mayor and health unit.

Windsor arenas, pools, community centres and libraries remain closed

Windsor mayor Drew Dilkens says the city supports the province’s decision regarding the phased and staged reopening.

“As an employer and service provider, the City of Windsor, has been preparing for an eventual reopening of City Hall and other municipal facilities when public health conditions warrant,” says Dilkens. “Based on the announcement from the Province of Ontario today, we will not be adjusting the current level of service delivery at this time. Arenas, pools, community centres and libraries will remain closed until further notice.”

The city has moved the delivery of many public services online and the 311 call centre remains open to respond to municipal business.

Last week, Windsor began an on-line consultation with parents to determine the interest in summer day-camp programming.

Public health unit regions allowed to move into Stage 2 on Friday include: