By REJEAN CANTLON

The Ontario government announced on December 21 that the province will enter a province-wide lockdown effective Boxing Day, December 26, which will run until January 23.

Fortunately, some area businesses are not affected as part of the 28-day shutdown this time and some area athletes are thankful.

Old-timer recreational hockey player and an active Etobicoke father, Trevor Travis, is pleased with the change.

“Having businesses open that help people in the community with their healing process is important, even during a pandemic”, explains Travis.

The Ministry of Health confirmed that regulated health professionals including dentists, optometrists, chiropractic services, ophthalmologists, physical and occupational therapists and podiatrists and massage therapists will still be able to operate.

In Ontario’s first lockdown last spring, business including physiotherapy, chiropractic services and massage therapists were shuttered.

Local sports enthusiasts with ailing or chronic injuries can take solace in the fact that New Toronto businesses’ like Nadia Haque’s Physio in the Six and Olivia Pomante’s Lakeshore Village Massage Therapy will still have their doors open for their patients.

Businesses like Nadia’s and Olivia’s have been advised by The Ministry and their professionals’ regulatory colleges that they can remain open to serve their clients. They feel fortunate that they can continue to provide the care that is needed and deserved.

“The health and well-being of our clients has always been our first priority. With that being said, we are making sure that through this pandemic all proper protective measures are being followed”, explains Pomante. “Mask wearing, hand sanitizing and completion of the screening form are mandatory before entry into the treatment room.”

Haque says her team has worked hard throughout this pandemic to ensure that they are going above and beyond the regulations to serve the community in the most responsible and safe way possible.

“We are screening patients, masks are mandatory, we are enforcing physical distancing, hand hygiene, clinic hygiene, and offer contactless payment options. We’ve taken every possible measure into consideration and adapted our policies and procedures to be as vigilant as possible,” Haque insists. “Our patient’s health and wellness have always number one to us.”

Physio in the Six is located at 2917 Lake Shore Blvd. W., and can be reached at 647-748-2917. Lakeshore Village Massage Therapy is located at 2976 Lake Shore Blvd. W., and can be reached at 416-251-7171.