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
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.