Opinion Piece: Please Stay Away!

The outrage behind GTA residents traveling to Simcoe

With lockdowns in the GTA, many people are beginning to travel out to York Region and Simcoe Country to try and live their "normal lives." But many of Simcoe's residents are fearful of allowing red zone residents in close proximity, having dinner in local restaurants or shopping in crowded malls. To prevent spread of the virus from these out of town residents, one restaurant in Collingwood, The Curly Willow, released a statement saying that it will no longer serve residents of red zone areas. The eatery is now asking patrons for proof of residency before permitting them to be served. This statement rallied support from the locals- but why aren’t other businesses following suit? Would residents feel safer if service to out-of-towners was denied? 

Patrick, a local resident of Simcoe County, agreed with the rule: "I think it's valid. Collingwood is a huge tourist destination and I won’t even go skiing there this winter due to how many people will just go there." He also noted that "people will lose their minds but it’s worth it for safety." 

The ski lodges are getting a later start this winter due to the lack of snow, but Blue Mountain is already covered with tourists coming up for a day trip. With over 761 new cases in a single day according to Public Health Ontario, and recent trends indicating a steady increase in the number of daily cases, it’s easy to understand wanting to avoid these high-traffic tourist areas. 

Cassandra, a third-year Interdisciplinary major at Lakehead who works at another local restaurant, complained that “it's annoying- so many of our reservations are from the GTA area! But it just sucks for us because if we get shut down it's because [red zone residents] are spreading [COVID-19]!" This claim is also seemingly backed by numbers: currently, Simcoe County reports 19-40 cases a day, most taking place in Barrie, while Toronto is reporting 300-750 daily. No one wants to have their area shut down near Christmas, but with case numbers rising in many regions this possibility seems more and more likely. Travelling for Christmas celebrations with family may also be contributing to the rise in numbers of COVID-19 in northern regions. 

Connor Mcleod makes a similar case that red zone residents are at fault for their own lockdown, and other areas should not suffer the consequences of their actions. He notes, "It’s kinda messed up, ‘cause they are the reason that they are locked down in Toronto. They should stay there instead of potentially ruining it for the people who are being more responsible (us)." This suffering is something that every area of Ontario did from March-May of 2020. Currently, Toronto and Peel are the only areas to head back into the lockdown phase, with others being in yellow or orange zones. 

Michaela, a third-year Political Science major, works downtown Orillia at a local establishment. "Frankly, as someone who works downtown, it makes me frustrated. This is the reason the Simcoe-Muskoka District Health Unit moved us to orange level. I understand the desire to support small businesses, but in Orillia we've been fortunate enough to have had only a select number of cases. All it takes is one slip-up, and then it becomes a much worse situation, especially in a town largely populated by the elderly. If we had an outbreak here, then that would be even worse for our businesses." Orillia serves a large retirement community, many of whom will not be travelling south to Florida for the winter. Michaela goes on to say, "Aside from business, people who come from the GTA seem to be comfortable putting my safety, and the safety of people like my cousin who has CF (cystic fibrosis), at risk." 

It is my opinion, and many others agree, that GTA residents chose to live where they are, and now they must stay there until this pandemic passes and travel is safe once again. Simcoe County is where we live and own businesses, and the community's safety should be the priority. If people keep disregarding the safety of others and moving between red zones and the surrounding lower restriction areas, this pandemic will never end. 

Orillia students: we would love to hear your thoughts on this. Leave a comment below!