Ontario Makes COVID-19 Positive Status Information Available to First Responders

Ontario is taking extra steps to protect the province’s First Responders from COVID-19.  The province has issued an emergency order allowing paramedics, firefighters, and police to obtain COVID-19 positive status information regarding those with whom they come into contact.

Deputy Premier, and Health Minister Christine Elliott together with Solicitor General Sylvia Jones issued a statement announcing the new instructions.  “During this pandemic, it is crucial that our first responders have access to this critical information when they are preparing to respond to an emergency in order to protect themselves and the public and help stop the spread of this virus,” they said.

Information would limited to a person’s name, address date of birth, and if they’ve had a positive COVID-19 test results.  ” Strict protocols will be enforced to limit access to this information and will only be used to allow first responders to take appropriate safety precautions to protect themselves and the communities they serve,” they said.  The information will be inaccessible after the state of emergency has been lifted.