Shelburne moves out of lockdown and into red zone of COVID-19 framework

Written By Paula Brown

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

 The Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph region on Tuesday (Feb. 16) officially moved to the red control category of the COVID-19 response framework, as Ontario transitions out of province-wide lockdown. 

With the move to the red-control category, Dufferin County is able to organize public events and social gatherings limited to five people indoors and 25 outdoors.  

Restaurants in the region will be able to reopen for in-person dining with a capacity of 10 individuals and social distancing. Eateries also must be close between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. Establishments that serve alcohol can only do so between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.

As part of the Ontario government's adjustments to the reopening framework supermarkets can have up to 75% capacity while other retail stores including big box retailers, hardware stores, liquor stores, and garden centre can have 50% capacity. 

Recreation and fitness facilities will also reopen with limits of 10 people in areas with weights or machines, 10 for indoor classes, and 25 for outdoor. 

While the region is moving out of lockdown it is being advised that trips outside the home should only be for essential reasons such as work, school, getting groceries, health care, or exercise. 

The Ontario government in the reopening framework for red-control areas says families should not visit any other household or allow visitors in their homes and should avoid social gatherings. 

Indicators for why an area is determined to be in the red-control category include a 2.5% or more positivity rate in cases, repeated outbreaks, level of community transmission increasing, and hospital and ICU at risk 

The majority of public health regions in Ontario moved back to the colour-coded system on Tuesday, except for Toronto, Peel, York regions and North Bay-Parry Sound district who remain under the stay-at-home order. 

The colour coded system is broken down to prevent (green), protect (yellow), restrict (orange), control (red), and lockdown (grey).