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The City of Windsor has ended the municipal emergency declaration put in place two years ago at the COVID-19 pandemic’s onset.
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The decision was announced on Monday following consultation by Mayor Drew Dilkens with city administration and public health officials.
“As public health guidance continues to shift, and the federal and provincial governments lift restrictions, it is evident that the pressures that called for the declaration of an emergency locally have eased, and the declaration can safely be ended,” said Dilkens.
In a written statement, the city said it will continue adhering to and promoting health and safety regulations “to protect employees and the public.” That includes advocating for vaccinations, enhanced cleaning protocols, hand sanitizing, and wearing face masks when physical distancing is not possible.
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“I’ve been so proud of the leadership our city staff have shown throughout the pandemic,” said Jason Reynar, the city’s chief administrative officer. “Through getting vaccinated, working in reassigned roles and keeping our facilities safe and clean, they’ve shown incredible resilience. And I know that while we will all welcome this latest sign that things are improving, we will also stay focused on keeping our residents and staff safe.”
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit continues to monitor COVID-19 cases and local health care capacity. Should it become necessary to “consider alternative steps in the future,” the city said, “we will be ready to do so.”
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The city declared a state of emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic on March 20, 2020, three days after Ontario Premier Doug Ford declared a provincial state of emergency.
“Throughout the pandemic, our Community Control Group has worked tirelessly to respond to the rapidly changing circumstances,” says Steve Laforet, Windsor’s fire chief and community emergency management co-ordinator. “As pressures ease, we will now focus our efforts on recovery and lessons learned.”