The Renfrew County and District Health Unit is moving out of the green zone.
As of Monday (March 8th, 2021), the RCDHU will move into the “Yellow-Protect” classification.
Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams says the best defense against the virus and all of its variants of concern remains continuing to stay at home, avoiding social gatherings, only travelling outside of your community for essential purposes, and limiting close contacts to your household or those you live with.
Over the month of February and during the first few days of March 2021, the RCDHU has reported a rise in COVID-19 cases.
While case numbers were low during the first half of February, with 9 cases reported between February 1 to 14, RCDHU reported 36 cases during the second half of the month (February 15 to 28), and an additional 13 cases so far in March.
With this rise in case numbers, RCDHU will be moving into the Yellow-Protect Category of the COVID-19 response framework, effective Monday, March 8, 2021 at 12:01 a.m.
RCDHU Acting Medical Officer of Health says this rise in cases is a stark reminder of the importance in adhering to public health guidelines – celebrating with only members of our immediate households, staying home from work, school or daycare if we are sick, practicing physical distancing (2 metres), wear a mask/face covering when physical distancing cannot be maintained, and washing our hands.
Cushman says as the COVID-19 variants of concern continue to spread in other regions across Ontario, we need to remember that we are all in this together and I would urge everyone of us to remain vigilant so that we can keep our local economy open, our kids in school, and our residents employed.
Dr. Cushman states with these updated numbers, I am thankful to note that Barry’s Bay and Area is no longer a COVID-19 ‘hotspot’, with zero active cases currently.
With this shift to yellow, the public can find a further breakdown of cases by municipality in the RCDHU COVID-19 Case Summary and more details for the Yellow-Protect category can be found in RCDHU’s Fact Sheet: Moving to the Yellow (Protect) Zone or Ontario Regulation 364/20: RULES FOR AREAS IN STAGE 3.
You can get more details online here.
Here’s the guidelines for Yellow-Protect
Strengthened measures: Stronger targeted enforcement, fines and more education to limit the spread. Public health measures for high-risk settings.
Always stay home if you have symptoms, physically distance by staying two metres apart from people you don’t live with, wear a mask or face covering in indoor public spaces and avoid non-essential travel.
Gatherings and close contact
Limit close contact to your household (the people you live with) and stay at least 2 metres apart from everyone else.
If you live alone, you can have close contact with only one other household.
Events and social gatherings in private homes, backyards or parks (for example, barbeques):
- Indoors: 10 people
- Outside: 25 people
Organized public events and gatherings in staffed businesses and facilities (for example, event spaces):
- Indoors: 50 people
- Outside: 100 people
Religious, wedding and funeral services:
- Indoors: 30% capacity
- Outside: 100 people
Rules for all businesses
All open businesses must:
- screen employees (use the covid 19 Screening Tool for Workplaces)
- post signs at all entrances informing people how to screen themselves for covid 19 before entry
- limit capacity so guests can stay at least 2 metres apart
- make sure anyone indoors wears a mask or face covering, including workers who have to come within 2 metres of anyone else (with some exceptions)
- make sure workers use personal protective equipment (PPE) that protects the eyes, nose and mouth when they must come within 2 metres of anyone who is not wearing a mask or face covering or separated by plexiglass
- clean and disinfect often-touched surfaces, such as equipment, washrooms, locker rooms, change rooms and showers frequently
- manage line ups to make sure customers are at least two metres apart wearing face coverings or masks
- create a safety plan, post it in a place where workers and patrons will see it and have it available upon request (for example, to inspectors or law enforcement officers)
Restaurants, bars and other food and drink establishments
Guests must:
- sit with at least 2 metres between tables
- wear masks or face coverings except when eating or drinking (with some exceptions)
- wear a mask or face covering and keep 2 metres apart when lining up
- give their name and contact information
Time restrictions:
- Establishments must close by midnight
- Alcohol cannot be sold after 11 p.m.
- No one can drink alcohol after midnight
Not allowed:
- Buffets
- More than 6 people per table
Sports and recreational fitness facilities
Capacity limits:
- Indoors:
- 10 people per class
- 50 people in areas with weights or exercise equipment
- 50 spectators
- Outside:
- 25 people per class
- 100 spectators
Capacity limits apply per room if the facility follows Guidance for facilities for Sport and Recreational Fitness Activities During covid 19.
Everyone must:
- always wear masks or face coverings except when exercising or playing sports (with some exceptions)
- stay 3 metres apart in classes or areas with weights or exercise equipment and 2 metres apart everywhere else
- make reservations (only one required per team)
- give their name and contact information
Team and individual sports must:
- be modified to avoid physical contact
Some exemptions apply for high-performance athletes and parasports.
Outdoor ski, ice and snow recreational amenities open for recreational purposes.
Meeting and event spaces
Capacity limits:
- Indoors: 50 people total or 50 people per room when the establishment follows the Guidance for meeting and event facilities during covid 19
- Outside: 100 people
- Per table: 6 people
- Religious, wedding and funeral services have different limits
Guests must give their name and contact information.
Not allowed:
- Booking multiple rooms for the same event
Time restrictions:
- Establishments must close by midnight
- Alcohol cannot be sold after 11 p.m.
- No one can drink alcohol after midnight
Stores
Fitting rooms cannot be right next to each other.
Guests must wear a mark or face covering and stay at least 2 metres apart inside and when lining up and gathering outside.
Personal care services
Closed:
- Oxygen bars
- Steam rooms
- Saunas
Guests must give their name and contact information.
Casinos, bingo halls and gaming establishments
Capacity limits:
- 50 people
Guests must give their name and contact information.
Not allowed:
- Table games (for example, poker, blackjack, roulette)
Time restrictions:
- Alcohol cannot be sold after 11 p.m.
- No one can drink alcohol after midnight
Cinemas
Capacity limits:
- Indoors: 50 people total or 50 people per auditorium when the cinema follows guidance for movie theatres during covid 19
- Outside: 100 people
Time restrictions:
- Alcohol cannot be sold after 11 p.m.
- No once can drink alcohol after midnight
Everyone must:
- Always wear masks or face coverings except when eating or drinking (with some exceptions)
- Give their name and contact information
Performing arts facilities
Capacity limits:
- Indoors: 50 spectators per facility
- Outside: 100 spectators per facility
Guests must give their name and contact information.
There must be a barrier (for example, plexiglass) between singers and wind- or brass-instrument players and audience members.
Time restrictions:
- Alcohol cannot be sold after 11 p.m.
- No one can drink alcohol after midnight
