WINDSOR — Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens is expressing concerns about what he is seeing on the other side of the Detroit River with the COVID-19 outbreak.
Mayor Dilkens spoke to Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland by phone Thursday night and voiced concerns about the U.S possibly opening businesses too soon.
Speaking on AM800's the Morning Drive, Dilkens says it would be irresponsible of the U.S to ease up on border restrictions, since it doesn't appear the coronavirus has reached its peak in North America.
Hospital officials in Detroit say they are near or at capacity with Michigan reporting about 2,900 cases, including 851 in Detroit.
Dilkens points to the explosion in the number of cases in metro Detroit as Detroit has more cases compared to the entire province of Ontario.
"I was concerned enough when I heard President Trump start pontificating that we should get back to business, ease up and everything should get back to normal by Easter," says Dilkens
He wants to ensure there are measures in place in Canada and at the border, in case the U.S eases up on restrictions too soon.
Mayor Dilkens says Freeland completely understood his concerns.
"This is about saving lives at this point," he says. "To the extent that you are opening up for things to continue and open up too soon, you are promoting difficulty, poor health and danger in the community at this particular time."
Dilkens and his family have been in self-isolation since returning to Windsor following a family vacation overseas in Jordan.