It's been roughly three months since Toronto residents could legally go out and get a haircut in the city, and some people appear to be so fed up with waiting for salons to reopen that they're taking matters into their own hands, ignoring recommendations to avoid region-hopping at all costs and travelling to other parts of the province to access the service.
Region-hopping has been in an issue in Ontario throughout the pandemic thanks to Toronto's proximity to other GTA regions that have often been under more relaxed public health measures compared to Canada's largest city, and it appears this time around is no exception.
York Region rebranding as ‘Toronto’s Haircut Destination’.
— Daniel Kasman (@kasmand) February 19, 2021
#Toronto #COVID19Ontario #redzone
Several Toronto residents have taken to social media in recent days to unabashedly admit that they've traveled to regions that have already transitioned into the province's colour-coded framwork in order to get a haircut.
I haven't been to work in months. My friend went from Toronto to York Region for a haircut yesterday. My Mom is going tomorrow. I have to go to work in York Region on Sunday for the 1st time since early Dec. Only @fordnation can't see what's coming!!!! https://t.co/oaLmcJTlvp
— David Starkman (@SavidDtarkman) February 26, 2021
Many people report travelling to York Region this week, which only entered the red zone on Monday and where hair salons are now permitted to operate with restrictions in place.
Got haircut in the free state of Markham had to cross checkpoint Charlie from east Toronto ( Germany)
— john marshall (@johnmar47194986) February 23, 2021
Others say they travelled to Oakville in Halton Region, which is also in the red zone, to access the same service in addition to visiting restaurants and bars.
@fordnation @epdevilla @JohnTory @TOPublicHealth I would have loved to support my local Toronto barber and restaurants yesterday. However, it was a nice drive to Oakville. Not quite the haircut I wanted, but the beer and food was phenomenal.
— No More Lockdown 🇨🇦 (@no_lockdown) February 19, 2021
Residents have also reported travelling to Durham Region for the same reason, a region that is also currently in the red zone of the province's framework.
This is is what decent people do.. waiting for a haircut in Pickering just east of Toronto.#WearAMask #COVID19Ontario pic.twitter.com/2fjtNleAEQ
— Deb from Toronto 🇨🇦 (@Deb27158071) February 20, 2021
At the end of the first wave, as some GTA regions began to reopen their economies while Toronto remained in lockdown, many residents travelled outside the city to eat in restaurants, get haircuts, shop in malls and more.
The same was true in December, right before the province-wide shutdown came into effect. At the time, data revealed that approximately 101,500 people tavelled from Toronto, Peel and York to various shopping centres that were still operating in nearby jurisdictions.
Experts warned that the phenomenon would likely continue this time around, with some regions proactively and openly asking Toronto residents to refrain from travelling there.
We don’t want you here in Durham. You’re closed because you don’t care & keep spreading it around. Maybe come after your learn to follow instructions like we did!
— Deb (@Deb25153098) February 19, 2021
The three regions that were first to see health and safety measures loosened earlier this month also tried their best to discourage visitors from other regions, with Hastings Prince Edward going as far as banning local businesses from accepting reservations from people who live in regions still subject to the stay-at-home order.
Mayor John Tory has also repeatedly pleaded with residents to avoid region-hopping and stay the course until Toronto is ready to reopen, adding that the practice should still be avoided even once lockdown restrictions are lifted in the city.
"People are, in fact, starting to move around more, perhaps thinking, incorrectly, that improving case counts mean that is okay. Unfortunately, it is not okay," said Tory during the city's COVID-19 briefing Monday.
"The lockdown has been working to reduce the number of COVID-19 cases in our community, but please, don't get complacent or give up on this work."
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