Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health is "strongly recommending" that outdoor play areas, personal service businesses and event venues be closed until at least April 5.
“Our second confirmed case had no travel history or contact with a confirmed case which is evidence that community transmission of COVID-19 is occurring in our area,” said Dr. Nicola Mercer, Medical Officer of Health, in a news release.
On the weekend Public Health said a man who had no known travel history or contact was recovering from COVID-19 at Louise Marshall Hospital in Mount Forest.
Previously a person with travel history was diagnosed in Orangeveille.
While many businesses are taking steps to help control the spread of the virus and people have changed their habits and are practicing social distancing, "not everyone is taking these important actions and at this critical moment stricter measures are necessary to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to save lives," Dr. Mercer said.
"It is for these reasons that today, I am recommending the closure of all personal service businesses, outdoor play areas and event venues within Wellington County, Dufferin County and the City of Guelph.”
Personal service businesses include, but are not limited to, hair and nail salons, tattoo parlours, barber shops, cosmetic clinics, gyms, massage clinics and fitness facilities. Event venues include, but are not limited to, banquet halls and conference centres. Outdoor play areas include children’s park play structures and skate parks but do not include trails and green spaces.
Restaurants, bars and food establishments providing take-out or delivery services are not covered by this recommendation.
Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health urges everyone to make efforts at social distancing. This means maintaining a safe distance (2 arms length or 2 metres) away from others whenever possible. Please limit your travel outside of your residence to things that are necessary to your family such as food and medical care while maintaining social distancing. Avoid visits to hospitals, long-term care homes, or retirement homes unless absolutely essential. In particular, avoid congregating in groups outside of your family in any setting outdoors or indoors.
