For Immediate Release
April 1, 2021
STATEMENT: Mayor Bonnie Crombie’s Responce to Ontario Implementing a Provincewide Emergency Brake
“Today the Government of Ontario implemented a provincewide emergency brake, effective Saturday, April 3, 2021, at 12:01 a.m. for at least four weeks. This decision was made in an effort to reduce the number of variant cases and COVID-19 hospitalizations across the Province.
I realize this is very hard news for many in Mississauga, in particular our restaurant and gym owners who have just reopened, and our personal care businesses who were anticipating opening on April 12th.
Peel Region, along with Toronto, has been in the Grey lockdown zone of the provincial framework for over 4 months. The addition of 4 weeks means that our small business community has not been able to operate at full capacity for almost half a year.
The entire Mississauga community has had to make incredible sacrifices for the collective good, and I sincerely thank you for continuing to help limit the spread of COVID-19. We were hopeful that with the vaccine rollout, our City would move closer towards recovery. Although this is incredibly disheartening news, I firmly believe this is the right and necessary thing to do for our current situation.
The reality is that we are seeing COVID-19 cases rise rapidly in Peel Region, with the new variants 2.5x more transmissible and people 2.5x more likely to end up in ICUs. This very troubling trend is happening all across the Province.
What is even more concerning are the recent trends we are seeing in our hospitals. Peel Region has had a dramatic increase in the number of variant cases, which we know are much more transmissible. The rate at which new strains are infecting younger people is also alarming. While our hospitals had been holding their own for the last few months, the situation has become concerning. Trillium Health Partners is at 103% capacity and has once again started to transfer patients to neighbouring Regions.
With a nearly 14% increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations across the province, variant cases rising, our hospitals at maximum capacity, and transferring patients out to other Regions – this shows the dire need for more restrictions.
I’m optimistic that the next 4 weeks will give us the opportunity to keep our variant cases at bay and provide additional time to continue vaccinating residents in our community.
We must remain vigilant and continue listening to the advice our health experts.”
– Bonnie Crombie, Mayor of Mississauga
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