How many lockdowns? Timeline of COVID-19 restrictions in Windsor-Essex

Windsor, Ont. — On the brink of the latest COVID-19 measures being implemented in Ontario, here’s a look at how these restrictions compare to others in Windsor-Essex since the start of the pandemic.

The region has been through three previous lockdowns/shutdowns and various stages of opening and closing over the past 22 months. While the provincial government is calling the new measures a ‘modified’ version of Step 2 of reopening and not a ‘lockdown’, the restrictions are still widespread.

TIMELINE:

March 11, 2020 – Pandemic declared by World Health Organization.

March 19, 2020 - WECHU reports first COVID-19 case in region

March 20, 2020 - City of Windsor declares state of emergency, malls closed

May 11, 2020 – After two months, many Windsor retail stores with a street entrance reopened for curbside pickup or delivery.

STAGES:

May 19, 2020 - Province announces the first stage of the 're-start phase' towards re-opening Ontario’s economy and a slew of businesses from retail to recreation facilities are ramping back up after a months-long shutdown due to COVID-19.

May 20, 2020 - Windsor reopens dog parks, some outdoor sports amenities, picnic sites, benches and shelters in parks and recreational areas.

June 25, 2020 – Windsor-Essex moves to Stage Two: Leamington and Kingsville excluded. Hair salons and restaurants reopen.

July 7, 2020 – Leamington and Kingsville joins Stage Two: last in province.

Aug 12, 2020 – Windsor-Essex moves to Stage 3 reopening, gyms reopen

Sept 10, 2020 - Students back to school first time in six months

Sept 28, 2020 – Ford declares province is in second wave

COLOURS:

Nov 3, 2020 – Color-coded approach introduced: Windsor starts in green

Nov 16, 2020 - Move to yellow zone

Nov 23, 2020 - Move to orange zone

Nov 30- Move to red zone

Dec 16, 2020 - Move to grey zone: lockdown 2.0

Dec 11. 2020 – Health unit orders closure of schools.

Feb 12, 2021 - Back to red zone, reopening of indoor dining, gyms and salons with restrictions and capacity limits.

Feb 8, 2021 - Schools resume in-class learning.

Feb 16, 2021- Stay-at-home order lifted.

March 23, 2021 - Ford 'concerned' about third wave of COVID-19, says another Ontario lockdown would be 'absolutely terrible'

April 1, 2021 - Emergency brake shutdown starts in Windsor-Essex, indoor dining at restaurants, non-essential retail and gyms close.

April 12, 2021 –The province closed Windsor-Essex schools and any other schools that weren’t already closed indefinitely.

STEPS:

May 20, 2021 – Ontario nixes colour framework. Windsor-Essex will be grouped with the rest of the province as it rolls out the new three-step reopening plan.

June 2, 2021 - Windsor-Essex schools to remain closed for in-class learning, province considers reopening businesses sooner

June 7, 2021: Province announces reopening of Step One is being bumped up to June 11. Patios, non-essential retail with an outdoor entrance and outdoor fitness with 10 people is allowed.

June 30, 2021 - Haircuts allowed, malls reopen as Windsor-Essex moves to Step 2

July 16, 2021 - Indoor dining, gyms, cinemas reopen as Windsor-Essex moves to Step 3 ahead of schedule

July 23, 2021 - Hundreds return to work as Caesars Windsor reopens

Oct. 22, 2021 - Ontario releases long-term COVID-19 reopening plan: What it means for Windsor-Essex

Dec. 5, 2021 - WECHU issues additional COVID-19 measures

Dec. 7, 2021 - Ontario extends pause on reopening plan indefinitely as COVID-19 situation worsens

Dec. 16, 2021 - Windsor-Essex students asked to take home items in case schools close after holiday break

Dec. 17, 2021 - Ontario introduces new restrictions as COVID-19 cases rise

Dec. 30, 2021 - Ontario reducing capacity limits at large spectator venues to 1,000 people

Jan. 3, 2022 - New COVID-19 restrictions for Windsor-Essex under 'modified' Step 2 of reopening

Jan. 3, 2022 - Ontario will not reopen schools for in-person learning for two weeks