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Gardner responds to community backlash over incoming lockdown measures

Local case numbers 'may still very much go in the wrong direction, but the fact it has declined a bit runs counter to my original decision,' says medical officer of health
2021-02-28 Gardner presser
Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit medical officer of health Dr. Charles Gardner speaks to media during a Feb. 28 conference call.

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit’s medical officer of health held a rare Sunday news conference to answer to the backlash he's receiving regarding the grey-zone designation for the region, which comes into effect one minute after midnight.

Earlier this week, Dr. Charles Gardner said he might ask the province to put the region in lockdown because of a 30 per cent increase in cases the previous week, as well as community spread of the more transmissible B.1.1.7 variant strain of COVID-19 that originated in the United Kingdom.

On Friday, the province said it was moving the Simcoe-Muskoka region from red to grey as of Monday, March 1, invoking more restrictions, such as eliminating in-establishment dining at restaurants and closing personal care shops (hair salons, gyms).

During this afternoon’s media conference, Gardner pointed out the grey-level lockdown is different from a full shutdown, as retail stores, small or large, are allowed to stay open with reduced occupancy. 

Gardner said there have been incidents at restaurants and in the past he can recall one local personal services outbreak. There was also a much large-scale one in another part of the province. 

“We have in the past  and are now with the UK variant  had outbreaks in restaurants. To our knowledge, they didn't affect the clients, but as a workplace they did affect the workers,” the doctor said Sunday. “More to the point, I hear people’s disconcert about the impact on their work and on their lives.”

North Swing Golf Lounge owner Emil Kamel spoke to BarrieToday about a letter he penned to Gardner and Ontario Premier Doug Ford regarding his frustration against the incoming lockdown. 

While his business involves a little more time to open, Kamel said he will definitely support anyone who opens tomorrow in a safe manner.

“This lockdown is completely wrong and at the most it should be a modified red, not grey," he said. "Gardner and the province made a huge mistake on Friday with their announcement, and I think now they’re being too stubborn to admit they were wrong and reverse it.

“The current situation is unfair to businesses because our cases have actually gone down since Gardner said he wanted more restrictions," Kamel added. 

BarrieToday asked Gardner about the slight decrease in cases and the percentage at which it is spreading for the week of Feb. 21-25, and whether or not he moved too quickly in asking the province to place Simcoe-Muskoka into grey while local numbers currently teeter between orange and red levels, which would include less cases.

“I think that's a fair criticism that I would accept. I was and am very concerned about the UK variant and I know what it has done in other countries," Gardner said. "I know that we have more of it than any other health unit (jurisdiction). I was expecting some evidence that this was going to go in the wrong direction, and that was the beginning of it.

"It may still very much go in the wrong direction, but the fact it has declined a bit runs counter to my original decision," he said 

Kamel’s email was one of "hundreds” Gardner received from concerned business owners and residents.

A protest on Monday between 2-5 p.m. at Barrie City Hall is being held by students from multiple dance studios across Simcoe County.

An email sent to BarrieToday stated Simcoe County dance studios feel they are being targeted and closed despite doing better than many places being left open.

“Dance studios have not had the same number of cases as the school system and yet they are being penalized," says the statement from Lexi Cooper. “Dancers rely on this dance education and training for future careers and mental health.”

Barrie Mayor Jeff Lehman has also spoken out against the move and has sent a letter to Gardner, Premier Ford, Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte MPP Doug Downey, and Barrie-Innisfil MPP Andrea Khanjin.

Lehman said in the letter he has been “relentlessly” supportive of health guidelines and the science used to make them, which is why he’d like to see changes to Friday’s decision.

“There are other aspects of the grey-level restrictions that are unjustified and damaging, particularly to the small business community in Barrie," he said. "This issue has been raised this weekend by people in my city specifically in the personal service sector, who are losing their livelihood. While large chain businesses have a corporate framework to support them, small businesses must sink or swim on their own."

Lehman requested the province immediately revise the business restrictions within the grey-level framework to permit small businesses to remain open if they can operate with little or no public health risk.

“While I realize this request requires the province to move quickly to adjust regulations, we are talking about people’s livelihoods here," the mayor said. "I believe my asks are reasonable, and the province has demonstrated previously their ability to move quickly in adjusting regulations.

“Moreover, the province has already adjusted the business restrictions to allow small or 'non-essential' retailers to open if they can do so safely," Lehman added. "Barrie’s small businesses need you to move quickly again.”

The changes in restrictions between the grey-lockdown zone and the red zone the region has been in since the stay-at-home order was lifted are as follows: 

  • No indoor organized public events and social gatherings except with the members of your household. Those who live alone can have exclusive close contact with one other household. 
  • Outdoor gatherings limited to 10 people with physical distancing in place
  • Restaurants, bars, and food and drink establishments may only offer takeout, drive-thru, and delivery services. No indoor or outdoor dining service is permitted.
  • Indoor and outdoor sports and recreation facilities must be closed with exceptions for outdoor rinks, ski hills, and snow trails
  • Retail stores can remain open with 25 per cent capacity
  • Grocery stores can have up to 50 per cent capacity
  • Personal care services, gaming facilities, cinemas, and performing arts facilities must close

For a full breakdown of the province’s colour-coded COVID-19 Response Framework, click here.