The City of Windsor is opening its isolation and recovery centre to migrant workers who test positive for COVID-19.
On Monday, Premier Doug Ford cited outbreaks of COVID-19 within the temporary foreign worker population as one reason why Windsor-Essex cannot move onto Stage 2.
In response, Windsor is offering to put those workers up in motels, much like they did for the homeless population earlier in the pandemic.
“What we’ve heard over the weekend, is that it is challenging to appropriately isolate COVID-positive workers on farm sites,” said Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens. “Public health officials have indicated that the need to isolate after a positive test result, has become a barrier to increased testing of the migrant population. The City of Windsor is taking immediate steps to remove that barrier, and I’m repeating my call for full testing of the temporary foreign worker population in Essex County.”
Dilkens said he is disappointed Windsor will not be moving on to Stage 2. However, he understands the region must move forward together.
The centre was established to isolate any COVID-positive homeless individuals. It will now be extended to Essex County farmworkers.
Anyone who tests positive for the virus who does not need hospitalization can stay at the centre. The centre is closely monitored to ensure residents remain on-site. Social Services and public health staff will be made available to provide meals and check-in services for individuals.
All costs associated with the facility will be charged back to the impacted farms.
