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More Timmins businesses can re-open Friday

Most areas of the province enter Stage 3 this week
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Timmins is one of 24 regions allowed to open more businesses this week.

Ontario has revealed Stage 3 of its reopening plan for COVID-19. Along with opening the majority of businesses, limits for social gatherings will change. The limit of 10 people for a social circle remains the same.

The Porcupine Health Unit is among the health units allowed to enter the third phase.

The areas not included in the announcement are: Toronto, York, Peel, Durham, Niagara, Windsor-Essex, Haldimand-Norfolk, Halton, Hamilton, and Lambton. 

The limit for indoor gatherings is increasing to a maximum of 50 people, and outdoor gatherings have a maximum of 100 people. Physical distancing is required for both.

Dine-in restaurants, bars, gyms, most personal care services, recreational facilities, team sports, and tour and guide services are among the businesses allowed to open July 17.

According to the government announcement, high-risk activities that could draw large crowds, where there would be difficulties with physical distancing, or where there is a challenge to have proper cleaning and sanitation are not safe to open yet.

This includes buffet-style food services, dancing at restaurants and bars, overnight camps, saunas and steam rooms, or prolonged and deliberate contact while playing sports.

For childcare centres, the number of children allowed will increase to 15 from 10 on July 27.

In the Porcupine Health Unit area, there have been 68 confirmed COVID-19 cases. The most recent positive test was reported yesterday

Of the confirmed cases, 59 are recovered and eight people have died. There is one known active case of the virus. 

The breakdown of the case locations is 43 in Timmins, 24 in Cochrane, Matheson, Iroquois Falls, and Smooth Rock Falls, and one in the Kapuskasing area.

At the July 14 Timmins council meeting, they will be talking about mandatory masks in indoor public spaces. 

In the Sudbury area, a Public Health Sudbury and Districts directive went into effect last week asking people wear a face covering in local businesses or using public transit. Algoma Public Health is doing the same, with the new rules starting Friday, July 17.

PHU medical officer of health Dr. Lianne Catton said last week that the health unit is exploring its options to support increased mask use.

With people having more opportunities to be in public and travel, she said there is greater risk of spreading potential infections.