'There's room for improvement here, we can do a little more': Residents need to step up efforts at social distancing, self-isolation, Newmarket mayor says

Newmarket Mayor John Taylor today declared a state of emergency as the town, York Region, province and country work to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

There are 22 confirmed COVID-19 cases in York Region, which includes two cases in Newmarket.

The declaration that came shortly after 3 p.m. at the emergency meeting called over COVID-19 at the town's municipal office does not change any regulations or restrictions put in place March 17 by Ontario's state of emergency.

Rather, the declaration calls on every resident to take greater action to help stop the spread of the virus by practising social distancing and self-isolation, and sets the tone and groundwork for the town's response to the efforts to stop the spread of the virus.

"I believe this significant step is necessary to provide the town with the latitude to take action and to dedicate resources outside of normal processes," Taylor said. "I want to make clear that the most significant reason I'm declaring a state of emergency today in the town of Newmarket is because I believe in order to meet the challenge that we face, the public needs to significantly increase and improve the measures they are currently taking. It is my hope that this declaration will speak strongly to the residents of our town to take the advice and direction for our public health officials very, very seriously."

"What we're hoping the declaration does is creates a different emphasis, and for the community, we're hoping everybody hears this, reads about it, shares it on social media, and does just a little more," Taylor said.

"There's room for improvement here, we can do a little more. We need to do more around self-isolation, social distancing, do it the best you can, and take care of yourself and each other the best you can."

This developing story will be updated as more details are available.