Mayors pushing for less restrictive red zone when stay-at-home order lifted in Mississauga and Brampton next week

 

Mayors of Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon have joined forces to seek a broader opening of business and public life in Peel Region when current stay-at-home measures are lifted next week.

The mayors, with the support of other Peel councillors, approved a plan yesterday to call on Ontario Premier Doug Ford to move the entire region into the red zone of its COVID-19 re-opening framework.

The plan is contingent on the approval of Peel's Medical Officer of Health Dr. Lawrence Loh based favourable COVID case counts and hospitalizations.

By moving into the red zone it would bypass the more restrictive grey zone that Peel has found itself in for most of the second wave of the pandemic.

If Peel does move directly into the red zone, it would mean most businesses and restaurants would be allowed to open with limited capacity as would gyms and neighbourhood recreational facilities. It would also allow for some religious ceremonies and would increase the number of people who can gather indoors to five and outdoors to 25 people.

Currently, Peel, Toronto and North Bay are the only areas of the province to remain under the stay-at-home order which is expected to be lifted by March 9. These areas were expected to transition into the grey zone before the mayors made their request.

Dr Loh, for his part, would not commit to granting his approval saying the numbers would guide his decision.