THUNDER BAY – The province has confirmed that Thunder Bay will move to the Orange-Restrict level, with a growing number of COVID-19 cases in the district.
The new restrictions will take effect on Monday at 12:01 a.m.
"Over the last seven days we have seen the trends in key public health indicators continue to go in the wrong direction in these three regions," said Minister of Health Christine Elliott, in a release issued on Friday by the province.
"By taking proactive action and moving these regions to a higher level in the framework, we are helping them to reduce transmission in the community and avoid broader closures. The health and well-being of Ontarians remains our top priority."
The move to Orange will have an impact on many businesses, in particular restaurants, who will be expected to do more screening and will have shorter hours of operation. The window for alcohol sales will also be reduced.
It also restricts visitors to long-term care homes throughout the region, not just those facing an outbreak. Only essential visitors are permitted, up to one caregiver per resident.
Thunder Bay is one of two districts moving to Orange from Yellow, Middlesex-London being the other health unit. The district moved into the Yellow zone on Nov. 23.
Kenora moved into Yellow last Friday.
Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit is moving from Green to Yellow.
There are at present 112 active COVID-19 cases in the Thunder Bay District Health Unit catchment area.
