EOC Advisory Committee reinforces updated provincial public health regulations and guidelines

Emergency Operations Centre Advisory Committee reinforces updated provincial public health regulations and guidelines

The Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Advisory Committee is made up of organizations within The City of Brantford, The County of Brant and Six Nations of the Grand River, working together to reduce the risks posed by community spread of Coronavirus COVID-19 in our region.

We are six months into a global pandemic and can be very proud of the way we have managed the first wave. In our community, we kept Covid-19 cases at low levels throughout the summer. We worked together (apart) to save lives and protect the integrity and capacity of our local health care system. The health, safety and well-being of all people within our region remain a top priority for all of us.

As the number of new COVID-19 cases in Ontario continues to rise steadily, the Province responded last Friday by introducing a series of new actions to prevent and stop the spread of the virus and avoid future lockdowns. The new restrictions include mandating the use of face coverings in all public indoor settings across the province such as businesses, facilities and workplaces with limited exemptions, including corrections and developmental services. The new legislation further reinforces local mandatory face covering by-laws that are already in place in our region.

The Province has also announced recently a reduction of the number of people permitted to attend unmonitored and private social gatherings such as parties and dinners. There is a limit of 10 people allowed to attend unmonitored private social gatherings held indoors and a maximum of 25 people at outdoor events. It is important to note that indoor and outdoor events and gatherings cannot be merged together. Gatherings of 35 combined of 25 people outdoors and 10 indoors are not permitted. Physical distancing must be maintained at these events.

The EOC Advisory Committee is in full support of the Province’s new regulations to stop the spread of Coronavirus Covid-19. With Thanksgiving just days away, we appeal to all residents to observe the limits on group gatherings for any planned dinners or get-togethers. We recognize it is extremely difficult to be separated from loved ones, but keeping everyone safe is our top priority. Please consider connecting with loved ones instead by video call or phone call at this time. Keeping a safe physical distance does not mean cutting off contact with friends and loved ones.

We are disappointed to have to re-impose restrictions after all the work our community has done to keep case counts relatively low. However, a provincial approach to address the increases in COVID-19 cases is the best strategy to ensure we can control the second wave.

Stay Vigilant

The EOC Advisory Committee stresses that all residents and businesses play a significant role in successfully reopening our community safely. Please continue to follow these important COVID-19 guidelines to keep everyone in our communities safe:

Wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, cover coughs or sneezes, clean and disinfect surfaces and stay home if you are sick.
Wear a face covering (non-medical mask), such as a cloth mask in all public enclosed indoor spaces to reduce the risk of transmission and practice physical distancing of two metres or six feet apart from others at all times while in public.

About the EOC

The Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Advisory Committee is made up of organizations within The City of Brantford, The County of Brant and Six Nations of the Grand River, working together to reduce the risk of community spread of Coronavirus COVID-19 in our region. The EOC Advisory Group is made up of representatives of the following organizations:

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Media Contact
Maria Visocchi – Emergency Information Officer
519.751.9900 ext. 5754 | mvisocchi@brantford.ca