New – April 21

Two more cases of COVID-19 in Greater Sudbury which brings the total up to 44.

The two new cases were a man in his 20’s and a woman in her 30’s both caught the virus through close contact with a case.

Of the 44 cases in Greater Sudbury, 33 have been resolved while Health Sciences North says one person is currently in ICU with the virus.

 

GOVA Transit is responding to declining ridership and the need for physical distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Public transit will reduce frequency of service on most routes and suspend some routes until further notice.

Updated routes and schedules are available online at www.greatersudbury.ca/transit and mybus.greatersudbury.ca.

Printed schedules will be mailed on request by calling 705-675-3333.

The decision to modify GOVA routes and schedules follows a 70 per cent decrease in ridership on weekdays and a 50 per cent decrease on weekends since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The community’s response to prevent the spread of the virus has resulted in an average of less than 15 passengers per bus during peak times on major routes.

 

To protect residents and slow the potential spread of COVID-19 in the community, all municipal boat launches within the City of Greater Sudbury will be temporarily closed to the public, effective immediately.

These measures align with the City’s efforts to minimize travel, keep people home and avoid gatherings in public settings.

Boat launches will remain closed for the duration of the Province’s State of Emergency, and the corresponding closure of recreational facilities.

 

Spring Residential Tipping Fee Holiday Postponed.

Due to the ongoing provincial and local State of Emergencies, the Residential Tipping Fee Holiday scheduled for the week of May 11, 2020, has been postponed.

Landfills remain closed to the public to support physical distancing.

New – April 13

There were eight new cases over the long weekend in Greater Sudbury including five announced yesterday.

The latest five cases include one 19-year old, two people in their 20’s and two in their 50’s.

One of the cases was a close contact of someone who has COVID-19, while it is unknown how the other four people caught the virus.

The case number is now up to 36 in Greater Sudbury.

 

Health Sciences North now has the ability to test more people for COVID-19.

Anyone who has a symptom of the virus can book an appointment at HSN’s assessment centre.

 

The YMCA in Sudbury has re-opened for the homeless.

The centre closed not long after the virus started to spread but will open its doors with limited hours for people to use washrooms, telephones and computers.

It will be open from 12-5 pm every day.

 

And the city is highlighting some of the positives coming out of COVID-19.

In times of trouble, each other is what we rely on. Here are some organizations that have done tremendous work already:

  • Sudbury’s Warriors biker club is helping deliver meals to seniors that rely on Greater Sudbury’s Meals on Wheels program
  • Big corporations like Vale and Cementation, as well as secondary and post-secondary institutions are supplying masks, respirators, protective equipment and other supplies to their local hospitals.
  • Loblaws, Metro, Canada Post and other chains are designating the first hour of opening for seniors and vulnerable individuals such as those who immune-compromised.
  • Distilleries such as Crosscut in Sudbury and Rheault in Hearst (who has partnered with Pepco) are working to produce hand sanitizers.
  • Some businesses offering free online martial arts classes for kids and families to help stay connected to one another.
  • The Canadian Mental Health Association for Sudbury and Manitoulin offers an online peer support tool called the Big White Wall.
  • And many more…

New – April 7

Greater Sudbury is now under a state of emergency…however it won’t mean changes for you right away.

Mayor Brian Bigger says it was very important to make the announcement ahead of the Easter Long weekend…the first holiday during the outbreak.

The state of emergency allows the mayor and council to create or change bylaws quicker.

Bigger says to expect more information in the coming days and weeks…the state of emergency will run as long as the provincial state is in place.

You can watch the full press conference here.

New – April 6

Greater Sudbury had its 26th case over the weekend but also zero reported cases yesterday.

The health unit confirmed Saturday that a woman in her 70’s was hospitalized from COVID-19…they believe she caught the virus from international travel before returning home to Greater Sudbury.

There were no new cases in all of Northern Ontario yesterday.

11 people in Greater Sudbury and Manitoulin have recovered.

Two mining companies are turning resources toward COVID-19.

Vale is putting up a one million dollar challenge for companies, start-ups and institutions in Canada to find solutions that will minimize the impacts the virus has on communities.

And Greater Sudbury mine tech company Hard-Line is putting its 3D printers to use by producing materials to be used for personal protective equipment at Health Sciences North.

And the Bell Park Boardwalk is now closed.

The city says the number of pedestrians on the Bell Park has created a situation where physical distancing is not manageable.

New – April 1

Greater Sudbury has its first case of COVID-19 that has required hospitalization.

The 13th case is a woman in her 50’s who was tested on March 29th…it is unclear how she was exposed to the virus.

She was flagged through enhanced screening for COVID-19 when she went to the emergency department and is now in Health Sciences North’s respiratory unit.

NEW – March 30

City parks are now closed to the public.

This includes play structures, off-leash dog parks, skateboard parks, play fields, sports courts and other park amenities.

Places like Bell Park and the boardwalk will remain open however residents should use proper physical distancing measures when heading to those places.

NEW – March 27

The city of Greater Sudbury is temporarily closing public access to all landfill sites in the city.

The city says they made the call after seeing a steady increase in traffic over the past few days and closing them will further support physical distancing recommended by Public Health Sudbury and Districts.

To help the residential garbage bag limit has been increased to four bags effective immediately.

If you have a large item the city will still be doing roadside collection of certain large furniture, appliances and electronics items…but they are saying with an increase in demand it might take a bit longer to pick up the item.

You can schedule a pick-up online here or by calling the city.

NEW – March 26 

Case number five and six have been confirmed in Greater Sudbury…this time it has hit two younger people.

The fifth case is a man in his 20’s and the sixth case a man in his 30’s…both are close contacts of confirmed cases elsewhere in Ontario.

Both were tested at Health Sciences North’s assessment centre on March 21st and were sent home to begin self-isolation.

Medical Officer of Health Dr. Penny Sutcliffe urges people to assume the virus is circulating from person to person and to stay home unless essential to do otherwise in order to protect the health care system and vulnerable populations.

NEW – March 25

You won’t have to worry about squeezing household garbage into one bag for the next little while as the city has waved the one bag limit and will allow two bags for curbside pick-up.

City council held their first virtual meeting last night with council members and the mayor meeting from their home or offices.

They also decided to suspend the charging of interest on overdue water and wastewater accounts…they also voted to waive downtown metered parking fees.

NEW – March 24

Greater Sudbury’s number of cases is up to four as a woman in her 70’s tested positive for COVID-19.

Public Health Sudbury and District say the case is travel-related and is not related to previously reported cases.

They did say they know the indivudal wore a mask during her travels and immediately self-isolated as a precaution when she returned to Canada.

She remains in self-isolation.

NEW- March 23

Greater Sudbury has it’s third case of COVID-19.

Public Health Sudbury and District say a woman in her 40’s has the virus and it is travel related.

The woman flew from Geneva to Montreal then from Montreal into Toronto, she then took a Porter flight to Sudbury from Toronto on March 11th…the health unit is saying those on that flight in rows 16-20 and flight crew that might have served these rows are considered close contacts and are asked to self-isolate for 14 days.

NEW – March 20

The Downtown Transit Hub building, including the kiosk, (9 Elm St.) will be temporarily closed to the public as of 4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 20.

Buses will continue to pick up and drop off passengers on the platform.

Riders are reminded to board and exit buses through the rear doors only. Anyone with accessibility needs can still use the front doors.

NEW – March 20

Yesterday, the OFSC Board of Governors made a formal decision to cease trail operations and grooming effective immediately on any trails which are still available to the public.

Effective midnight, Saturday, March 21st all OFSC Prescribed Snowmobile Trails in Ontario will be closed and anyone accessing such trails from that date forward will be trespassing.

There are also some changes to GOVA transit in Greater Sudbury.

The city has waived transit fees during the COVID-19 outbreak.

They are making changes however to the way people ride…if you are getting on a bus you must get on through the back doors and exit the same way…those with accessibility needs can still use the front doors.

The front seats of each bus have been blocked off to maintain required space around the operator.

Riders are asked to stay behind the yellow line at the front of the bus to ensure proper social distancing.

 

NEW – March 19

The Greater Sudbury Airport has announced two airlines have suspended flights for the near future.

Sunwing will be suspending all southbound flights until April 9th and Porter will be temporarily suspending operations at the end of the day on Friday, March 20, with plans to resume service on Monday, June 1.

The New Sudbury Centre has decided to reduce hours but will stay open while LCBO’s are reducing their hours starting today to 11 am to 6 pm daily.

And the Sudbury Rock Marathon which was set to go in May has postponed the event until October 25th.

The original race day was May 31st.

NEW – March 18

Local stores to offer seniors hours

Stores offering senior shopping hours in Greater Sudbury at this time are as follows:

  • Rehan’s YIG 7-8 a.m.
  • Neil’s YIG 7-8 a.m.
  • Battistelli’s 7-8 a.m. (for seniors and individuals with compromised immune systems)
  • Chris’ YIG 7-8 a.m.
  • Chartrand’s YIG 7-8 a.m.
  • Tanner’s YIG Monday to Saturday 7-8 a.m.
  • Real Canadian Superstore Tuesday and Fridays, 7-8 a.m.
  • All Shoppers Drug Mart locations nation-wide will be dedicating the first hour of their regular business hours to senior shopping, seven days a week

MARCH 17

With Premier Doug Ford declaring a state of emergency for the province here are some of the closures and changes to watch for in Greater Sudbury.

Impacted programs and facilities are as follows:
• All City-run camps and recreation programs, including the remainder of March Break activities, are suspended.
• Parks facilities, including fieldhouses, community spaces and Youth Centres are closed.
• Arenas are closed.
• All events at the Sudbury Community Arena are cancelled.
• Rentals at all community halls and community centres, including the Lionel E. Lalonde Centre, are suspended. No new rentals will be accepted until after April 5, 2020.
• Fitness centres are closed.
• Ski hills are closed, and all scheduled programs are suspended.
• Pools are closed, and all scheduled programs are suspended.
• Library branches and Library/Citizen Service Centre locations (except the Tom Davies Square Citizen Service Centre) are closed. All Library late fees will be waived.
• Museums are closed.
• Provincial Offences Act (POA) Court is suspended.
• Pioneer Manor remains closed to visitors.
• All in-person public meetings, including Public Information Centres, are suspended. Online engagement opportunities at overtoyou.greatersudbury.ca will continue.
• We will continue to explore options to accommodate payments from residents to the City, including property tax bill payments.

Along with city building there are some private closures to report on:

  • Science North and Dynamic Earth have announced they’re closing temporarily.
  • Cineplex has announced they are closing their theaters across the country
  • KUPP Centre has temporarily closed
  • Goodlife Canada has closed all clubs across the country
  • Restaurants and bars will be shut-down unless they offer take-out, drive-thru or delivery.

While there are a lot of closures Premier Doug Ford said that essential services in Ontario will continue to run that includes grocery stores and convenience stores.

Here are more services still available in Sudbury:

• Emergency shelters remain open and homelessness programs will continue.
• Public Works operations, including road repair, winter road maintenance, will continue.
• Fire and Paramedic Services Emergency Response will continue.
• Housing Registry services will continue.
• Ontario Works Program services will continue.
• Planning services, including rezoning applications and development approvals, will continue.
• Security, By-law and Parking services will continue.
• Landfills and the Recycling Centre remain open.
• Residential curbside collection of garbage, recyclables, compost and leaf and yard trimmings will continue.
• Property tax services will remain open
• Gova Transit services will continue.
• Water and Wastewater operations will continue.
• The Greater Sudbury Animal Shelter will remain open.
• Cemeteries will remain open.
• Road construction projects will continue.