“With the prospect of an outstanding summer in Niagara on the horizon, we need to continue to do everything we can to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 in our communities. We also need to have plans in place to allow our communities to be prepared and ready for a safe, more open summer than last year.”
An Open Message to the Ontario Government from the Mayors of the 12 Local Municipalities in Niagara, Ontario
Posed May 14th, 2021 on Niagara At Large
Niagara, Ontario – On Thursday Premier Doug Ford announced an extension to the Stay-at-Home order until at least June 2. The extension is needed to provide additional time to control the spread of COVID-19, bring down case counts, take pressure off already overburdened hospitals and put more vaccines in arms.
While we are supportive of the decision to further extend protective measures for the betterment of our communities, the lack of any kind of detailed plans to lead us towards an opening up of the economy is frustrating.
We believe our residents and businesses need to see a clearly developed re-opening plan that is evidence-based and includes the positive impacts of vaccinations. With more than half of Ontarians vaccinated with at least one dose, increased shipments of vaccines on the way, and age eligibility expanding in the next few weeks – Ontario should have a clearly defined re-opening plan.
We are also calling on both the Federal and Provincial governments to continue financial supports and extended benefits for businesses and organizations affected as the stay-at-home order continues. The supports must flow as quickly as possible to ensure businesses can continue to manage through these challenging times.
We also urge the Province to allow regional Public Health agencies to regulate outdoor activities based on local relevant data. The Ontario Science Table and medical professionals have stated outdoor, non-contact activities are low risk for COVID-19 transmission. We believe each region should have autonomy to determine safe return to play protocols moving forward.
With the prospect of an outstanding summer in Niagara on the horizon, we need to continue to do everything we can to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 in our communities. We also need to have plans in place to allow our communities to be prepared and ready for a safe, more open summer than last year.
Mayor David Bylsma, West Lincoln, Mayor Frank Campion, Welland, Mayor Jim Diodati, Niagara Falls , Lord Mayor Betty Disero, Niagara-on-the-Lake,Mayor Sandra Easton, Lincoln, Mayor Kevin Gibson, Wainfleet, Mayor Jeff Jordan, Grimsby, Mayor Marvin Junkin, Pelham, Mayor Wayne Redekop, Fort Erie, Mayor Walter Sendzik, St. Catharines, Mayor Bill Steele, Port Colborne, Mayor Terry Uguli, Thorold
To read a recent post on Niagara At Large on the extention of the Ontario government’s stay-at-home and lockdown orders, click on – https://niagaraatlarge.com/2021/05/13/breaking-news-ontario-extending-stay-at-home-order-until-june-2/ .
NIAGARA AT LARGE Encourages You To Join The Conversation By Sharing Your Views On This Post In The Space Following The Bernie Sanders Quote Below.
Niagara At Large 
With all due respect to Premier Ford, he only seems to be listening to one theory of how to deal with a pandemic. For example, the voice of Niagara’s Dr. Mustafa Hirji. Do you think Doug Ford or Dr. Hirji or MPP Christine Elliott even care that there are other very competent, professional doctors out there who have been consistently declaring that Lock-downs, Mask wearing and social distancing do NOT stop a virus. There are other ways, far less damaging to society and the health of residents to handle this situation safely. The kids need to be back in school and business need to be allowed to reopen. Local sports facilities need to function and Society needed to “Restart and Reopen” a long time ago. It is frustrating that those in authority seem to completely ignore the alternatives and are deaf to any suggestions like those of MPP Roman Baber or even the doctors at Toronto’s Sick Kids Hospital.
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