Public Health: visitors, essential temporary workers may not have local ID
Today, as the stay-at-home order has been lifted in the Kingston Frontenac Lennox & Addingtong (KFL&A) region, KFL&A Public Health is reminding residents to be understanding of temporary residents, visitors and essential workers in the community.
“Our KFL&A region is an exceptional place to live,” said a statement from Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore. “We are home to a military base, correctional and regional health care facilities, post-secondary institutions, and innovative construction projects. As a result, we have many temporary residents, visitors, and essential workers who may not have identification with a local address working, attending, or visiting these sites in our community.”
KFL&A Public Health said they want everyone to be understanding and welcoming. “Temporary residents, visitors, and essential workers need to continue to access services in our community. Please show kindness,” said Dr. Moore.
The message comes on the heels of Dr. Moore’s comments Tuesday, when the he indicated that business owners had the right to screen patrons for tourists.
“That is their right as a business, to control who enters their business,” he said Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021. “I’m not condoning that, but I know some businesses have done that in KFL&A.”
In the neighbouring Public Health region of Hastings-Prince Edward, Medical Officer of Health Dr. Piotr Oglaza has issued a Section 22 Order preventing hotels, restaurants and bars from serving patrons who reside in areas of the province still under a Stay-at-home order.
Dr. Moore has said he wants to wait to hear back from business owners and municipal partners about the transition to ‘Green-Prevent’ Public Health measures, before considering a similar move.
KFL&A Public Health said they recognize the residents, municipalities, workplaces, businesses, and other services in the community for working together to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 within the region.
“We understand the sacrifices that have been made,” said Dr. Moore. “Let us continue to practice the public health measures that allowed us to reach this point.”