Guelph set to lift COVID-19 state of emergency next week

Just shy of its two-year anniversary, the City of Guelph will lift itsCOVID-19 state of emergency next week in what Mayor Cam Guthrie called a "milestone" step toward ending the city's pandemic procedures.

The city announced Tuesday that the municipal order will be lifted on March 1. It was declared on March 26, 2020.

The decision to lift the state of emergency was done in consultation with Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health's medical officer of health Dr. Nicola Mercer and the city'semergency operations control group.

The state of emergency was a municipal tool that allowed the city to transfer employees to different roles, including outside their own departments, if needed. As well, it delegated some authority from councillors to the chief administrative officer.

Return to typical operations

The city said in a release Tuesday that ending the state of emergency means city operations will return to normal.

"This is one more milestone in our journey to recovery from the pandemic. But our recovery is only possible if we continue to follow public health guidelines: keep wearing a mask, continue social distancing, and get vaccinated," Guthrie said in the release.

"I am urging everyone to stay vigilant so that we can maintain the progress we have made."