Windsor, Ont. — On the brink of the latest COVID-19 measures being implemented in Ontario, here’s a look at how these restrictions compare to others in Windsor-Essex since the start of the pandemic.
The region has been through three previous lockdowns/shutdowns and various stages of opening and closing over the past 22 months. While the provincial government is calling the new measures a ‘modified’ version of Step 2 of reopening and not a ‘lockdown’, the restrictions are still widespread.
TIMELINE:
March 11, 2020 – Pandemic declared by World Health Organization.
March 19, 2020 - WECHU reports first COVID-19 case in region
March 20, 2020 - City of Windsor declares state of emergency, malls closed
May 11, 2020 – After two months, many Windsor retail stores with a street entrance reopened for curbside pickup or delivery.
STAGES:
May 19, 2020 - Province announces the first stage of the 're-start phase' towards re-opening Ontario’s economy and a slew of businesses from retail to recreation facilities are ramping back up after a months-long shutdown due to COVID-19.
May 20, 2020 - Windsor reopens dog parks, some outdoor sports amenities, picnic sites, benches and shelters in parks and recreational areas.
June 25, 2020 – Windsor-Essex moves to Stage Two: Leamington and Kingsville excluded. Hair salons and restaurants reopen.
July 7, 2020 – Leamington and Kingsville joins Stage Two: last in province.
Aug 12, 2020 – Windsor-Essex moves to Stage 3 reopening, gyms reopen
Sept 10, 2020 - Students back to school first time in six months
Sept 28, 2020 – Ford declares province is in second wave
COLOURS:
Nov 3, 2020 – Color-coded approach introduced: Windsor starts in green
Nov 16, 2020 - Move to yellow zone
Nov 23, 2020 - Move to orange zone
Nov 30- Move to red zone
Dec 16, 2020 - Move to grey zone: lockdown 2.0
Dec 11. 2020 – Health unit orders closure of schools.
Feb 12, 2021 - Back to red zone, reopening of indoor dining, gyms and salons with restrictions and capacity limits.
Feb 8, 2021 - Schools resume in-class learning.
Feb 16, 2021- Stay-at-home order lifted.
March 23, 2021 - Ford 'concerned' about third wave of COVID-19, says another Ontario lockdown would be 'absolutely terrible'
April 1, 2021 - Emergency brake shutdown starts in Windsor-Essex, indoor dining at restaurants, non-essential retail and gyms close.
April 12, 2021 –The province closed Windsor-Essex schools and any other schools that weren’t already closed indefinitely.
STEPS:
May 20, 2021 – Ontario nixes colour framework. Windsor-Essex will be grouped with the rest of the province as it rolls out the new three-step reopening plan.
June 2, 2021 - Windsor-Essex schools to remain closed for in-class learning, province considers reopening businesses sooner
June 7, 2021: Province announces reopening of Step One is being bumped up to June 11. Patios, non-essential retail with an outdoor entrance and outdoor fitness with 10 people is allowed.
June 30, 2021 - Haircuts allowed, malls reopen as Windsor-Essex moves to Step 2
July 16, 2021 - Indoor dining, gyms, cinemas reopen as Windsor-Essex moves to Step 3 ahead of schedule
July 23, 2021 - Hundreds return to work as Caesars Windsor reopens
Oct. 22, 2021 - Ontario releases long-term COVID-19 reopening plan: What it means for Windsor-Essex
Dec. 5, 2021 - WECHU issues additional COVID-19 measures
Dec. 7, 2021 - Ontario extends pause on reopening plan indefinitely as COVID-19 situation worsens
Dec. 16, 2021 - Windsor-Essex students asked to take home items in case schools close after holiday break
Dec. 17, 2021 - Ontario introduces new restrictions as COVID-19 cases rise
Dec. 30, 2021 - Ontario reducing capacity limits at large spectator venues to 1,000 people
Jan. 3, 2022 - New COVID-19 restrictions for Windsor-Essex under 'modified' Step 2 of reopening
Jan. 3, 2022 - Ontario will not reopen schools for in-person learning for two weeks
