For Immediate Release
November 20, 2020
STATEMENT: Mayor Bonnie Crombie’s Response to Peel Region Moving into Province’s Grey Lockdown Zone
“Today the Premier announced that the Region of Peel will move into the Grey Lockdown zone in the Province’s COVID-19 Response Framework, for a 28-day period starting at 12:01 a.m. on Monday morning.
This decision came after the Province consulted with Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer as well as Peel’s Medical Officer of Health.
I know this was not an easy decision to make, but I firmly believe this is the right course of action at a critical moment.
The sobering reality is that COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations have been rising at an alarming rate in Mississauga over the last month. We have seen a dramatic increase in the number of COVID hospitalizations and the number of patients being transferred to the ICU. We have also begun seeing significant spread in our long-term care homes.
I support this decision because my first priority is, and will always be, protecting the health and safety of Mississauga residents.
These new measures are the only way we can avoid school closures, further spread in our LTCs and overburdening our hospitals. It is the only way to avoid preventable deaths in Mississauga.
I am extremely disappointed for our small businesses, as most will have to move to curbside pickup or delivery. Only essential services, such as supermarkets, pharmacies and hardware stores, are permitted to stay open for in-person shopping. I am also disappointed for our religious communities, as new measures will allow for a maximum of 10 people for religious services, both indoors and outdoors.
I encourage all residents, businesses and faith-based groups to familiarize themselves with the new restrictions in the Grey Lockdown zone, by following the link here.
I want to be very clear: these are just temporary measures, and the Premier has given me his word that he, along with the Province’s Chief Medical Officer and Peel’s Medical Officer of Health, will be reviewing our case numbers weekly to determine the path forward for our Region and City.
This is not where we wanted to be. But I truly believe that Mississauga can come together, right here and right now, to get this situation under control. I am again urging everyone to limit their in-person contact to just their immediate households and essential supports. I am urging everyone to continue following the advice of our public health officials.
Be safe and be well.”
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