Mayor Jeff Lehman has ended the state of emergency in the City of Barrie, effective immediately.
This decision comes as the province continues to ease provincial COVID-19 public health measures.
“I want to thank our brave essential workers, first-responders and incredible community partners for your unwavering commitment to supporting our community during some of our darkest days," Lehman said in a news release. “I also want to thank the incredible residents of Barrie who quietly did their part to help their community by following public health orders, wearing a mask, and getting vaccinated."
Lehman declared a state of emergency in the City of Barrie on March 23, 2020. The declaration was part of the city's ongoing efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 and ensured municipal government was able to continue to act and respond quickly to the pandemic, while continuing to offer essential city services.
The declaration provided the city with additional powers and resources to protect the health and safety of Barrie residents and streamlined the decision-making process through the city's Emergency Operations Centre (EOC). The city's declaration also aligned with the Government of Ontario's declaration of emergency.
The city's EOC was implemented on March 12. This group of leaders from the city, Barrie police, Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre, and the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit met regularly to make critical decisions to reduce the impact of COVID-19 and react quickly to changing public health regulations.
The city will continue monitor the COVID-19 situation and respond as necessary, in line with public health and provincial direction to ensure the safety of residents.
For more information on the province's plan to gradually lift public health measures, please visit ontario.ca/COVID-19.
For COVID-19 updates, assessment centre information, and the latest vaccination information from the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, visit simcoemuskokahealth.org/COVID19.
For the latest information on city services, visit barrie.ca/services.
