COVID-19 Timmins: Latest Updates

Quarantine and stay at home guidelines

A provincial state of emergency is effective Jan. 12. There is a stay at home order effective Jan. 14.

The City of Timmins declared a State of Emergency April 3. It was lifted Aug. 19. 

An Ontario-wide shutdown starts Dec. 26, 2020. It's in effect for at least two weeks in Northern Ontario (the last day being Jan. 9, 2021), and 28 days in southern Ontario. It's recommended that people stick to close contact with people in their household. Non-essential travel outside of the region or Northern Ontario isn't recommended.

Travellers returning from abroad must self isolate according to a federal order issued on March 25. Those arriving in Canada by land, air or sea are required, under the Quarantine Act, to self-isolate for 14 days or face fines of up to $1-million or three years in prison.

For social gatherings, the maximum number is 25 for outdoor gatherings and 10 for indoor. Physical distancing is required for both. Social circles are paused.

Even if residents do not have symptoms, they must self-isolate for 14 days if:

• They have travelled anywhere outside of Canada (including the United States of America).
• They live with, provided care for, or spent extensive time with someone who has: tested positive for COVID-19; is suspected to have COVID-19; or who has respiratory symptoms (fever, cough, or shortness of breath) that started within 14 days of travel outside of Canada.

Given the greater risk of severe outcomes to Ontarians who are elderly, it is strongly recommending that individuals over 70 years of age self-isolate.

Business closure information

Non-essential businesses will be closed from at least Dec. 26 to Jan. 23 for the provincial shutdown. Grocery stores, pharmacies, childcare, hotels and outdoor recreation (such as skating rinks) will remain open. Small businesses are permitted to be open for curbside pick-up or delivery. Restaurants can be open for take-out, drive-thru or delivery only. Ski hills, shopping malls, salons, museums, and night clubs must be closed.

Outside of the shutdown, Timmins is in Stage 3 of reopening the economy. Most businesses are allowed to re-open with workplace and public safety programs in place.

Events Status

The province has limited social gatherings to a maximum of 25 people outdoors and 10 people indoors with physical distancing as of Sept. 19. These rules do not apply to staffed facilities like gyms, movie theatres, and halls. For the shutdown starting Dec. 26, indoor public events and private social gatherings aren't permitted.

Status of local healthcare infrastructure

The first COVID-19 vaccine in Northern Ontario was administered Dec. 22 in Thunder Bay. Vaccines are not expected in the Porcupine Health Unit area, which includes Timmins, until later in January. 

The Porcupine Health Unit issued a mandatory mask or face covering order for public indoor spaces effective Thursday, July 23.  It means businesses in the health unit area will require all members of the public and employees who are in an enclosed public space to wear a mask or face covering that covers their mouth, nose and chin without gaping.

PHU medical officer of health Dr. Lianne Catton expects the order will be in place for some time.

The Porcupine Health Unit  is urging anyone who thinks they may have COVID-19 symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has it, to use the Ontario Government self-assessment tool to determine how to seek further care.

The expanded list of symptoms includes cough, fever, and difficulty breathing as well as sore throat/hoarse voice, difficulty swallowing, loss of smell or taste, fatigue, muscle aches, runny nose, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and nausea or vomiting.

There are COVID-19 Assessment centres in Timmins, Cochrane, Iroquois Falls, Kapuskasing, Smooth Rock Falls, Hearst and Hornepayne. They are by appointment only and you must be referred by your primary healthcare provider or the health unit.

The PHU COVID-19 hotline is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and weekends from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  It can be reached at 705-267-1181 or 1-800-461-1818, or by calling the health unit office in your community.

At Timmins and District Hospital, limited in-patient visits are being permitted. Right now, in-patients are allowed up to two, one-hour visits per week. Those visits are with up to two designated visitors over the age of 16 who are scheduled for alternating visits.

Parking fees have also been reinstated at the Timmins hospital.

School updates

All publicly-funded schools are open, with families also being able to opt for distance learning.

Northern Ontario students return to school Monday, Jan. 11.

“How to help”

The Timmins Food Bank and South Porcupine Food Bank have seen increased usage and are accepting donations.

Anyone looking to support the community during this critical time can help by checking in with neighbours and friends who may be vulnerable, overwhelmed, lonely or in need of help. Just don't do so with a fever, new onset of cough or difficulty breathing, or if you have been in close contact with a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19.

Public transport

Timmins Transit is collecting fares and running daily on an enhanced Saturday service schedule. The terminal on Spruce Street South is open to the public.