Mayor Sally Hagman urges Blind River and area residents to maintain COVID-19 cautions as the community is seeing the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel. She made her remarks prior to Tuesday evening’s council meeting.
“I would like to pay tribute to wearing a mask. This little face covering has become as common place as wearing our socks and shoes. We keep them in our cars, our purses, our pockets and hanging over the sink after they’ve been washed. How many of us have returned to our vehicles as soon as we have that ’aha’ moment, realizing that our masks are missing when walking towards a store, restaurant or office,” she said at the virtual council meeting on Zoom. “Our masks are our protection. They are our guard against infection and acceptance of this new wardrobe enhancer helps us all keep a bright outlook on life. Remember a positive outlook and a mask creates a negative COVID test.”
The mayor also talked about continuing precautions at businesses after the provincial lockdown was lifted yesterday.
“Although businesses are open, it is important that everyone continues to limit contact to only their immediate household. For example, there is a limit of six per table in indoor restaurant dining, but regulations say that any person in any open business shall stay two metres away from anyone not part of their household - i.e. a couple or a family may share a meal at a restaurant, but other forms of socializing are not aligned with what is permitted in the legal framework.”
She also noted that private gatherings at homes or residences are only legally permitted if physical distancing is strictly maintained and the limit is under 10 indoors and 25 outdoors.
“In general, staying home, not gathering, and staying two metres apart from people we don't live with is the safest choice.”
“The challenge of course, is that such situations are difficult to enforce. So we are relying heavily on messaging, amplified by partners like you, to promote the necessary behaviours and avoid a third wave.”
She pointed out that residents in Blind River and area can get pandemic updates and information on the Algoma Public Health website.
“Remember to stay positive and test negative and we will all get through this together,” Hagman said.