Peel Public Health issues additional precautions against COVID-19
Published March 13, 2020 at 7:41 pm
The Region of Peel has issued new recommendations to protect residents, workers and visitors from COVID-19 within the region.
These measures complement the new provincial guidelines that were announced earlier today, to suspend any gatherings of over 250 people and to defer any non-essential travel outside of the country.
Additionally, Peel Public Health is recommending the closure of all childcare centres, March Break camps and before and after school programs, beginning on Monday, March 16 until April 5, 2020, to coincide with school closures.
They are also recommending that anyone who travels outside of Canada avoids work, school and other gatherings for 14 days upon their return to Canada. It is also advised to self-monitor for symptoms including fever, cough or difficulty breathing and to self-isolate until they have been free of all symptoms for a full 24 hours.
This means that those who travel outside of Canada and wish to return to work or school on April 6 must return to Canada by March 23.
“While these are significant steps that may seem alarming, I want to stress that the risk in Peel remains low at this time,” said Dr. Jessica Hopkins, Medical Officer of Health for the Region of Peel.
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“These measures are preemptive to help protect our population in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. While we understand that these recommendations create challenges for families and for the broader community, now is the time to pull together and take collective action to reduce the risk for all.”
In addition to the above recommendations, everyone in the community can help protect themselves by taking specific precautions.
This includes staying home if you are ill, practicing social distancing and reducing physical contact with others, washing your hands often, avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose as much as possible and avoid contact with people who are ill.
It is also advised to cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and getting a flu shot.
To stay updated on COVID-19 in Peel, visit peelregion.ca/coronavirus.
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