While zero cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the region, the City of Windsor has declared a state of emergency to prevent the virus from spreading.
Mayor Drew Dilkens officially declared the state of emergency late Friday afternoon to provide the city with additional tools to protect the health and safety of local residents.
"We don't yet have a case in the city of Windsor and we want to keep it that way as long as we can. This declaration of a state of emergency really just heightens the awareness for folks but it also gives me the authority as the head of council, as the mayor of the city to take some action," said Dilkens.
The mayor's first action was to order the temporary closure of Devonshire Mall and Tecumseh Mall starting at the end of the business day on Saturday.
"It's a place where people congregate, a number of stores have already closed there recognizing that we're in a very serious time," said Dilkens. "You're going to have folks who come back [from March Break] who may not have their finger on the pulse of what's going in their country, or province or certainly their city having been away for a week so we want to make sure that both malls are not used as places of congregation for anyone in the community."
The closure will remain in effect until at least April 5. However, any grocery store or retail pharmacy within the mall will be permitted to remain open, along with any restaurants
Dilkens admitted this could be the first of many orders issued under the state of emergency legislation.
"I'm not afraid to take additional action as required to make sure that I protect the health and safety of the residents of the City of Windsor," said Dilkens.
The declaration could also grant access to provincial funding should it become available.
"This is about being able to work very very quickly and timely, if we see things that are happening that need to addressed now that the state of emergency has been declared it allows me, the head of council, to work with our emergency management group to address situations in a more timely manner," said Dilkens.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford declared a state of emergency on March 17. Since that time, several municipalities have followed suit, including Calgary, London, Vaughan, Cobourg, Newmarket, and Sarnia, among others.
