Daycares and child care centres should close if they can't screen everyone, health official says

Daycares and child care centres need to be actively screening children and if they can't do that, they should close, says Waterloo region's acting medical officer of health.

"If the daycare/child care operators feel that they cannot operationalize such recommendations, then I would recommend that they do not go forward with operations," Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang said during a media briefing Monday morning.

The region has already closed the five child care centres it operates. The Waterloo Region District School Board also announced all child care centres, EarlyON and before and after school programs are closed until April 5.

The region's CEO Mike Murray said they've also closed all regional libraries in the townships, all museums and provincial offences courts has also been closed.

The region has startedinternal changes to minimize interpersonal contact between city employees, Murray said, and looking at having policies to have stuff work from home.

There were no new cases in Waterloo region on Monday; however, Wang has said testing is changing and not everyone with symptoms will be tested for the coronavirus.

'Heartened' by young people not going to Ezra

Dr. Wang also asked anyone still planning eventsin Waterloo region of less than 250 people todo what theycan to help people keep their distance from each other.

When it comes to the annualunsanctioned street party that takes place each March 17 on Ezra Avenue in Waterloo, Wang said she's heard from young people who said they will not attend.

"I would like to applaud them," Wang said. "I am heartened to hear from more and more of our young people, letting us know that they also want to protect our community and especially our most vulnerable."

She says she hopes those young people who aren't going to attend the street gathering will also encourage their friends to do the same.

Regional Chair Karen Redman said she was pleased to hear that some young people won't attend the street party. She's also happy to hear stories of neighbours helping neighbours.

"This community can get through anything, and it will get through this, but there is no doubt that this is a challenging time," Redman said.

Redman encouraged people to watch the Region of Waterloo Public Health's website dedicated to COVID-19 for up-to-date information in the coming days and weeks.

"These are challenging times and we have people working around the clock to bring the best information, the most up-to-date, accurate information continue to be through public health," she said.