Sarnia-Lambton on lockdown: what you need to know

Journal Staff Indoor restaurant dining will be banned for almost a month as Sarnia-Lambton enters a 28-day lockdown this weekend.

Journal Staff

Indoor restaurant dining will be banned for almost a month as Sarnia-Lambton enters a 28-day lockdown this weekend.

As of midnight on Boxing Day, Ontario’s southern regions face tight restrictions on shopping, dining and a number of local services in an attempt to curb surge of new COVID-19 cases in the province. City Hall will remain closed for the duration of the lockdown, which is set to expire on Jan. 23, 2021.

In-person shopping is banned in most retail settings, but curbside pickup and delivery can continue, the City said. Big box retailers selling groceries must limit locations to 25% capacity for in-store shopping. Grocery stores can operate at 50% capacity.

Physical distancing and face coverings are required at all stores open to the public.

Restaurants and bars will be permitted to operate by take out, drive-through, and delivery only.

The Strangway Centre and all arenas are closed following programming on Dec. 24.

Sarnia Transit bus routes remain in service for essential trips only and at a reduced fare rate of $1.50.

Sarnia advises residents to observe restrictions on indoor public events and social gatherings, except with members of the same household. Individuals who live alone can have exclusive close contact with one other household.

During this temporary shutdown, City Hall staff can be contacted through email at [email protected] or online at https://www.sarnia.ca/comment/.

Religious services, funerals and weddings are limited to 10 people indoors or outdoors, Ontario has said. Virtual and drive-in religious services, rites and ceremonies are allowed.

Sarnia-Lambton added 15 new COVID-19 cases today, bringing the active number of cases to 73. Eight more cases have been resolved. Twenty-eight have died from the infection since March.