Clarington lifts COVID-19 pandemic state of emergency
Published March 28, 2022 at 11:47 am
Clarington has lifted its two-year local declaration of emergency, with Mayor Adrian Foster saying it’s time to “stand together as a community to embrace a new normal and rebuild.”
Durham Region and all its member municipalities joined the rest of Canada on April 1, 2020 in declaring a state of emergency because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Now, we are finally able to lift that declaration,” Foster said. “We came together as a community during some of the most trying times and made the right choices at the right time to keep each other safe.”
Foster, on behalf of Clarington Council thanked the community for its “ongoing support and patience” as residents faced each wave and lockdown “with resolve and resilience.”
“Thank you to our frontline workers, the nurses, doctors, first responders for your tireless commitment to keeping us safe. Thank you to all of those who kept our essential services open, including our grocery stores, pharmacies, and small businesses. Thank you to all our residents for looking out for each other.”
COVID-19 numbers have been on the rise for the past week and Durham Region’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Robert Kyle, said the recent lifting of public health measures “does not mean the risk of COVID-19 has been eliminated” it just means the Province is “ready to move on” to a longer-term approach in living with the virus.
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He also warns residents to “be prepared” in case there is a new surge in COVID-19 activity.
Foster, however, says it’s time to move on.
“We cannot ignore the hardships and loss of life that continue to weigh on us, but we need to focus on cautious renewal. We stand together as a community to embrace a new normal and rebuild, supporting local businesses and those who have suffered economic loss. It’s our time to emerge from the shadows of the past two years and forge a new path ahead. While the virus is still in our midst, we need to proceed responsibly and prudently as we look forward to a new beginning.”
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