The Northwestern Health Unit says it’s moved this region to a Yellow protect level.
The region was previously at the lowest level or green.
The Health Unit says it made the move in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health of Ontario due to the spike in the number of cases in the Kenora area.
The new level for the region requires stronger measures including safety plans for some businesses, targeted enforcement, fines, and enhanced education to limit the transmission of COVID-19.
Some of the restrictions in the yellow level include:
• Some businesses now require a safety plan. This must be a written plan that includes things
like screening employees, ensuring people maintain at least 2 metres between themselves,
disinfecting surfaces and objects, and supporting hand hygiene. The Government of Ontario
has a template to help employers create a safety plan.
• Food establishments and bars must be closed between 12 a.m. and 5 a.m., and no more than
six people can sit together.
• Liquor can only be sold or served between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. and cannot be consumed in
establishments between 12 a.m. and 9 a.m.
• Contact information must be collected from all patrons in settings such as restaurants,
personal care service settings, meeting spaces, recreation facilities, and bingo halls.
• Patrons of sports and recreational facilities must be at least 3 metres apart where there are
weights/weight machines and in exercise classes. Programs are limited to 10 people per
room inside and 25 people outside. Preregistration or appointments are required.
To find out which types of businesses require a safety plan, visit the Government of Ontario’s
COVID-19 Response Framework – Protect. To help businesses meet this new requirement, NWHU
is contacting affected employers with further information and also expanding their hotline hours
for the weekend. Health unit staff will be available until 8 p.m. November 27, and from 8:30 a.m. to
4:30 p.m. on November 28 to answer questions that employers may have.
