The Ontario government has announced Windsor-Essex will remain in Stage 2 for another week.
The province consulted with the Chief Medical Officer of Health for Ontario, the Medical Officer of Health in Windsor-Essex, local authorities and other health experts before announcing its decision Tuesday morning.
"We are working hard with our federal and local partners to provide the communities in Windsor-Essex with the support they need during their reopening," said Minister of Health Christine Elliott. "Windsor-Essex will remain in Stage 2 until the data indicates they can safely move to Stage Three."
The province said it is implementing a three-point plan to support the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit in reducing transmission in the agri-food sector and the community. It includes expanded on-site testing, access to employment benefits and supports, and public health guidance specific to the agri-food sector.
Mobile teams are already going to area farms and greenhouse operations to conduct testing and follow up on asymptomatic individuals who have tested positive for the virus.
The province has also launched a $15 million Enhanced Agri-food Workplace Protection Program that helps pay for personal protective equipment, modifications in the workplace, and temporary housing.
On Friday, the federal government announced over $58 million to help beef up protections for temporary foreign workers. That money will go to outreach, improving living conditions, and expanding inspections.
Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams and public health experts said they would continue to monitor local trends, including the daily number of cases of COVID-19, hospital capacity, and rapid case and contact management.
