Lockdown restrictions to begin easing in Sarnia-Lambton next week

Journal Staff Lockdown restrictions in Sarnia-Lambton will begin to ease on Tuesday, Feb. 16. Twenty-seven public health regions will transition from the current shutdown to the colour-coded response framework next week, Ontario said today.

Journal Staff

Lockdown restrictions in Sarnia-Lambton will begin to ease on Tuesday, Feb. 16.

Twenty-seven public health regions will transition from the current shutdown to the colour-coded response framework next week, Ontario said today.

Sarnia-Lambton will move to the orange “restrict” level on Tuesday, which is in the middle of the scale between green “prevent” and the total lockdown of “Stay-At-Home.”

“It is very important for our community to view these changes as a gradual transition with many restrictions and recommended actions still required,” said Dr. Sudit Ranade, Lambton’s Medical Officer of Health.

In the orange level, social gathering are limited to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors.

Organized events and gatherings in staffed businesses and facilities, including stores, cinemas, performing arts facilities and gaming establishments, can have a maximum 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors.

Religious, wedding and funeral services are restricted to 30% capacity indoors.

Businesses must limit capacity and manage lineups to keep patrons two metres apart, and ensure frequent cleaning and PPE.

Restaurants and bars can have up to 50 people indoors, with four people per table, and guests must wear face coverings except while eating and drinking and provide their name and contact information.

Bars and restaurants must close by 10 p.m. with no alcohol sold after 9 p.m.

For more, visit https://covid-19.ontario.ca/zones-and-restrictions

Ontario has been in a provincewide lockdown since Dec. 26, and a stay-at-home order was added a month ago.

The factors that allow Sarnia-Lambton to move to level orange include fewer local cases of COVID-19 and improved capacity in the health system and testing, Dr. Ranade said.

“Be diligent and limit trips in the community to only essential needs, maintain close contacts with only those in your household, and in doing so you will allow services in the community to operate safely.”