Greater Sudbury lifts state of emergency order
As health conditions continue to improve and Ontario lifts COVID-19 restrictions, the City of Greater Sudbury is ending its state of emergency order.
"The local state of emergency was declared on April 6, 2020, following the declaration of a provincial state of emergency, and after careful consideration by the Community Control Group," the city said in a news release Tuesday.
"The local state of emergency is no longer required as the pandemic response continues toward recovery efforts and COVID-19 activities become a part of routine operations."
That emergency order officially ended Monday at 11:59 p.m.
Greater Sudbury Deputy Mayor Al Sizer said as we emerge from the pandemic, "COVID-19 has not disappeared."
"We are gradually returning to as close to pre-pandemic life as we have been in two years. While these continued changes are a sign of better days ahead, it doesn’t mean throwing caution to the wind," Sizer said in a news release from the city.
"As we learn to manage and live with this virus, let’s continue to make simple, smart decisions to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe – like getting vaccinated and boosted, and staying home when we’re sick. Just as importantly, please be kind and respect the choices of others who may be approaching this new normal at a different pace."
With the provincial mask mandate being lifted, facial coverings will no longer be required in most municipal cities. Masks will still be required on GOVA Transit, visitors and staff at Pioneer Manor, health care settings, high-risk congregate care settings, and places where required federally.
"While masks will be optional in most settings, individuals should assess their situation to determine what is best for them. With the Omicron variant still circulating widely, Public Health Sudbury & Districts medical officer of health Dr. Penny Sutcliffe continues to strongly recommend the use of masks, especially in crowded indoor settings and for those at higher risk for infection," the city said.
Tom Davies Square will reopen to walk-in service, but appointments can still be made in advance.
"In-person attendance at city council and most committee meetings will resume March 22. Residents, media and members of council will have the option to attend council chambers in person or to attend virtually. In-person attendance at planning committee meetings is expected to resume in May," the city said.
Sudbury's hospital, Health Sciences North, "continues to experience challenges in acute care capacity with COVID-19 admissions exceeding 2020 and 2021 levels."
As of noon March 14, HSN had 49 patients with COVID-19, including two in the intensive care unit. Hospital staff are also caring for 71 patients who were previously admitted for COVID-19, but are no longer positive.
-Files from Lyndsay Aelick
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.