Customers lineup outside Sudbury retailers as COVID-19 restrictions lifted Friday
It has been more than two months since items that the Ontario government considered "non-essential" have been available for in-person purchase and people in Sudbury are anxious to get back to in-person shopping.
CTV News talked to one Sudbury woman who started out shopping at 6 a.m.
"My first back to in-person shopping was great. My daughter wanted to tag along, it's been a long time since we got to get out of the house. We loved it, everyone at Winners was happy to be back, it was just nice," said Amanda Gopaulsingh.
When Walmart in New Sudbury opened at 7 a.m. on Friday, dozens of customers were already lined up waiting to go in.
Customer lineup outside Walmart in New Sudbury, Ont. at 7 a.m. as 'non-essential' items become available for purchase for the first time in more than two months. June 11/21 (Karen Kennelly Bass)
Taylor-Anne Pilotte of Pure Country Sudbury was at Homesense and Winners just before 10 a.m. and the lineup to get in the store 30 minutes after opening was wrapped around the buildling.
Lineup outside Winners and Homesense in Sudbury just before 10 a.m. June 11/21 (Taylor-Anne Pilotte)
Big box and grocery stores were forced to cordon off aisles of merchandise and only sell "essentials" when the last stay-at-home order took effect on April 8, while other retailers were only allowed to offer curbside pick up and delivery to their customers. Winners and Homesense have been shuttered since the last emergency orders went into effect.
On Wednesday, during an extreme heatwave, shoppers at the Dollarama in New Sudbury were not allowed to purchase items like ice cube trays because the store said the government deemed the kitchen item "non-essential."
Now, after more than nine weeks, all retail stores may reopen with store capacity limits - except for those located inside a shopping mall without a separate entrance. Due to the continued surge in new COVID-19 infections in the Cochrane District, the Porcupine Health Unit has decided to continue the shutdown for another two weeks, so stores in that area remain under previous restrictions.
Shoppers at Walmart on Friday morning wasted no time filling up carts with items that were considered "non-essential" the day before, like clothes, shoes and toys.
Shopping cart full of merchandise that was considered 'non-essential' the day before at Walmart due to COVID-19 restrictions. June 11/21 (Amanda Harte/CTV Northern Ontario)
Shopping cart full of sporting goods at Walmart. June 11/21 (Amanda Harte/CTV Northern Ontario)
Around Sudbury, many restaurants have been busy building patio areas as outdoor dining resumes on Friday as well. There are limits to how many people can be at a table, four – unless they live in the same household, in which case that cap doesn't apply.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Iran fires air defence batteries in provinces as sound of explosions heard near Isfahan
Iran fired air defence batteries early Friday morning after reports of explosions near the city of Isfahan, the state-run IRNA news agency reported.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.