Lower the music so patrons don't shout and spray germs, health officials ask

Health officials are urging bar and restaurant owners to turn down the volume in their spaces to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

The idea is that noisy dining rooms encourage people to speak louder and lean closer, according to a joint statement from health officials in Waterloo region and Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph.

Raising one's voice could send more of the COVID-19 virus into the air, infecting people nearby, the statement said.

"With cases rising in our region and across the province, we need to pull out all the stops to reduce the spread of COVID-19," said Dr. Nicola Mercer, medical officer of health for Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health.

Mercer noted that it's important to maintain the economic well-being of the two regions while the pandemic continues.

"Local businesses continue to work hard to put in the required precautions for COVID-19 in their establishments," said Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, acting medical officer of health for Region of Waterloo Public Health.

"We are asking for everyone's awareness and understanding that the volume of music or sound in the establishments they frequent needs to be low, to help protect us all."

Further information about COVID-19 is available on the respective health units' websites, the statement said.