Parry Sound is officially asking for more transparency from the local Medical Officer of Health Dr. Jim Chirico on his COVID-19 response.
In Tuesday’s meeting, the Town Council passed the resolution to request more community outreach and communication from Dr. Chirico.
In a letter sent to the health unit Thursday, the council says Parry Sounders expected a gradual reinstatement of the colour-coded response framework after the lockdown was lifted in mid-February.
However, Dr. Chirico continued the lockdown across the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit until at least March 8th, despite the majority of other health units being moved into the colour-coded response framework.
In addition, the letter says the Medical Officer of Health went further by ordering all public ice rinks, tobogganing hills, skating trails and the OFSC trails and trails utilizing Crown Land in the health region to be closed, a decision that he reversed last week.
Parry Sound Mayor Jamie McGarvey states in the letter that residents deserve a
clear explanation for the sacrifices they are being asked to make.
The letter then notes that because the Health Unit did not respond to a previous request, Town Council is now requesting that Dr. Chirico establish a bi-weekly information exchange meeting with the Mayors of West Parry Sound.
Mayors of The Archipelago, Carling, McKellar, Seguin, McDougall and Whitestone have also endorsed this message.