THUNDER BAY – The head of the Thunder Bay District Health Unit confirms a handful of people may have violated their mandated self-isolation at a south-side hotel.
Dr. Janet DeMille on Thursday said she believes they've effectively dealt with the problem.
“There were some particular people that were causing problems. But I think we have addressed some of those," DeMille said. .
“We now have two public health inspectors there to manage that. Some of the issues were making sure the individuals had access to things that they needed so they wouldn't be tempted to go out.”
A number of Lac Des Iles Mines employees, who were unable to get home or chose not to go home, were sent to the Valhalla Inn to self-isolate.Others have also been self-quarantined at the hotel.
Eleven employees of the mine, including three announced on Thursday, have tested positive for COVID-19.
However, mine officials say strict protocols are in place and none of their employees left the hotel property.
"Individuals that do not follow our no-nonsense policy will be dealt with accordingly. Two individuals that neglected to comply with the safety protocols were, under the direction of the TBDHU, were removed from the designated hotel and will complete their self-isolation elsewhere. These individuals, who work for contractors at the LDI mine site, did not leave hotel premises, but were verbally inappropriate to hotel staff," an Impala Canada spokesperson said in a statement.
"Finally, please also note that the designated hotel also has guests and organizations unrelated to our LDI group. We are not accountable for the movements and actions of these individuals and groups."
LDI support staff, not in quarantine, are on site to assist those in self-isolation.
Miners are also being escorted to and from designated outdoor smoking areas.
The tbnewswatch.com newsroom received several calls this week reporting self-isolating guests at the hotel shopping at Wal-Mart, Metro and LCBO locations on Arthur Street.
DeMille said people in self-isolation need to adhere to the guideline.
“Whenever somebody is self-isolating, because they might have been exposed to COVID, whenever they go out and potentially interact with other people, that could put other people at risk.”
DeMille said they will work with the miners to ensure they have what they need while holed up at the hotel during their self-isolation period.
This story has been updated to include clarification from the Thunder Bay District Health Unit and comments from Lac Des Iles Mine.
