October 1, 2020 – Dr. Nicola Mercer, Medical Officer of Health for Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health, and Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, Commissioner, Region of Waterloo Public Health & Emergency Services,
are encouraging restaurants and bars to lower the volume in their spaces. Higher volumes of ambient noise such as music force patrons and staff to raise their voices or lean closer to hear. Raising your voice may send more of the COVID-19 virus into the air infecting those around you.
“With cases rising in our region and across the province, we need to pull out all the stops to reduce the spread of COVID-19,” said Dr. Mercer. “The priority is to keep our region as safe as possible during this pandemic. That includes maintaining our economic wellbeing – a determinant of good health.”
“Local businesses continue to work hard to put in the required precautions for COVID-19 in their establishments,” said Dr. Wang. “We are asking for everyone’s awareness and understanding that the volume of music or sound in the establishments they frequent needs to be low, to help protect us all.”
“We all have a role in keeping our region open, healthy and thriving – whether that’s schools, offices, or commercial establishments,” said Dr. Mercer. “But, it will take all of us getting creative to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”
WDG Public Health and ROW Public Health and Emergency Services continue to provide advice to citizens and businesses in our region on the ways in which they can help stop the spread of COVID-19. Residents and businesses can visit www.wdgpublichealth.ca or www.regionofwaterloo.ca/ph to learn more about ways to reduce the risk of COVID-19.
Media Contact
Danny Williamson
Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health
1-800-265-7293 ext. 4376
danny.williamson@wdgpublichealth.ca
Julie Kalbfleisch, Manager, Information and Communications
Region of Waterloo Public Health and Emergency Services
jkalbfleisch@regionofwaterloo.ca