The Porcupine Health Unit region is staying at its current COVID-19 restriction level.
Based on the latest data, the province has announced regions that will be changing levels in the COVID-19 Response Framework. The restrictions are not changing for the Porcupine Health Unit region, which covers Timmins and area.
Only three regions in the province are changing levels, one of which is in Northern Ontario. The Northwestern Health Unit is moving to the red - control level. The change is effective Monday, March 15.
The other regions affected are Lambton Public Health, which is moving to grey, and Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit is moving to yellow.
This week, the province also used its 'emergency brake' to move Public Health Sudbury and Districts into grey - lockdown. That change took effect today.
Which level a region is at in the framework is based on a number of factors such as the weekly incidence rates, positivity rates, level of community transmissions and outbreaks.
"Indicators will generally be assessed based on the previous two weeks of information. However, movement to apply measures will be considered sooner than two weeks if there is a rapidly worsening trend," according to the province.
"Local context and conditions will inform movement, including potential regional application of measures."
The Porcupine Health Unit region moved into the orange - restrict level of the province's framework on Tuesday, Feb. 16.
The orange level includes intermediate measures and restrictions while avoiding closures, according to the province.
Here are some of the limitations for being in the Orange zone, according to the province:
- Events and social gatherings in private homes, back yards and parks are limited to 10 indoors and 25 outdoors
- Organized public events and social gatherings in staffed businesses and facilities are limited to 50 indoors and 100 outdoors
- Religious, wedding and funeral services are limited to 30 per cent capacity indoors and 100 people outdoors
- All open businesses must post signage at all entrances informing people how to self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms.
- Restaurants, bars, and other food or drink establishments are limited to 50 people indoors and four people per table. No buffet type service is allowed, a limit of four people can be seated together, and contact information is required for all people. Liquor can only be sold or served between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., and the businesses must close from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- Salons and personal care service businesses can open. Services that require removal of face coverings are not permitted. Steam rooms and saunas are closed.
- Sports and recreational fitness facilities limited to 10 people per class indoors, 50 people in areas with weights and machines, 25 people per class outdoors. Face coverings are required except when exercising. Ski hills can open.
- Stores (not including indoor malls) must have passive screening for patrons, such as posting signs outside about not entering if you have COVID-19 symptoms. A safety plan is also required and made available upon request.
- Bingo halls and gaming establishments can open, with a maximum of 50 people per facility, where physical distancing can be maintained.
- Cinemas can open with capacity limits.
- Visitor restrictions for long-term care homes apply once the region is in Orange or higher.
