MEDIA RELEASE

Porcupine Health Unit Region Continues Restrictions from Provincial Shutdown as the Province Moves to Step 1 of the

“Road Map to Reopen” Head Office: 169 Pine Street South Postal Bag 2012 For Immediate Release — Thursday, June 10, 2021 , ON P4N 8B7

Phone: 705 267 1181 Timmins, Ontario — Dr. Lianne Catton, Medical Officer of Health for Fax: 705 264 3980 the Porcupine Health Unit (PHU), with the support of leaders across the Toll Free: 800 461 1818

PHU region, and the Chief Medical Officer of Health of Ontario, Dr. David Williams, announced, “At this time, the numbers and evidence have led to the important and necessary decision to continue some restrictions from the Provincial shutdown as it moves to Step 1 of

Ontario’s “Road Map to Reopen”. I am issuing instructions that allow the Porcupine Health Unit to extend important public health measures currently in place under the Provincewide Emergency Brake.”

The instructions are effective as of Friday, June 11, at 12:01am, and will likely remain in effect until at least Friday, June 25, 2021. The need for the continued measures will be assessed weekly.

“While the overall COVID-19 situation in the province of Ontario is improving, the situation in the Porcupine Health Unit area remains dire,”

Dr. Catton explained. “Our region is not in a position to safely remove all restrictions as per Step 1 of the Road Map to Reopen with the rest of the province.” The Board of Health Chair, Sue Perras, also the Mayor of , agrees, “Dr. Catton has the full support of the Board of Health in taking this very critical step to protect our communities. We must continue to work together across the region to support the measures and each other during this difficult time. Each of our communities is at risk for the rapid increase in cases we continue to see across the region.”

Dr. Catton noted that the number of cases and outbreaks in the health unit’s area continue to increase despite the restrictions in place, raising concern for the probable circulation of the more transmissible Delta E-mail: variant. Extending the restrictions will reduce interactions with others [email protected] and decrease the risk of spread. The stronger public health measures will Web site: www.porcupinehu.on.ca help prevent further spread of COVID-19 and give more time for Branch Offices: Cochrane, Hearst, vaccination, including advancing the second dose strategy, important to Hornepayne, , , Matheson, combat the Delta variant. , Smooth Rock Falls

“The decision to continue certain restrictions for the PHU region was not made lightly; however, it is unfortunately necessary,” assures Dr. Catton. “An extensive assessment of the COVID-19 situation in the Porcupine Health Unit region, consultation with public health experts and government officials, and careful consideration of the implications on community members and businesses were conducted to inform this decision.”

The following restrictions will remain in place:

• Restricting indoor organized public events and social gatherings, except with the people you live with. Limited outdoor gatherings to 5 people and maintain physical distancing. • Restrictions against in-person shopping in most retail settings. Curbside pickup and delivery can continue. • Supermarkets, grocery stores and similar stores that primarily sell food, and pharmacies will continue to operate at 25 per cent capacity for in-store shopping. • Restrictions against indoor and outdoor dining at restaurants. Restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments can continue to operate take out, drive-through and delivery only. For more information about the restrictions, visit the PHU website at https://www.porcupinehu.on.ca/en/your-health/infectious-diseases/novel-coronavirus/covid- orders/covid-moh-instructions/.

"Extending the requirement for strict public health measures in the PHU region is an unfortunate, but necessary step,” Dr. Catton added. “We must stand together to protect ALL residents across the PHU area. This pandemic has hit each of our communities at a different time, in a different way. We ask for patience and your kindness through this trying but hopefully brief delay.”

Visit Ontario’s website to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19.

Download the COVID Alert app.

The Porcupine Health Unit is located in , serving the entire and Hornepayne, in Algoma District. The main office is located in Timmins, Ontario, with branch offices in Cochrane, Hearst, Hornepayne, Iroquois Falls, Kapuskasing, Matheson, Moosonee and Smooth Rock Falls.

For further information, please contact:

Gary Schelling Communications Specialist Porcupine Health Unit 705-267-1181, ext. 2314 [email protected]