On March 23, 2020, Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr declared a State of Emergency in support of the Province of Ontario's efforts to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the advice and support from the Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Hamidah Meghani. Halton Region Public Health initiated its Infectious Disease Emergency Response Plan on January 23 and Halton Region activated its Emergency Response Plan, including its Regional Emergency Operations Centre, on February 27 to ensure a coordinated and rapid response to the pandemic.
This declaration of a regional emergency is part of Halton Region’s ongoing efforts to protect the health and safety of the community, and will ensure the Region can continue to act and respond quickly to the pandemic and any other events that arise in the weeks ahead. A copy of the declaration (PDF file) is included.
This declaration is an important message to our community: we need to take this seriously and we need to act now. We need to listen to the recommendations of Public Health to practice physical distancing and self-isolate when directed – to protect ourselves, the ones most vulnerable, our first responders and healthcare workers. We must all do our part to control the spread of COVID-19.
Halton Region’s top priority remains the health and safety of our residents. Please continue to follow direction from Halton Region Public Health and visit halton.ca/COVID19 to get the latest information about symptoms, risk, when to contact 311 or seek medical attention.