Local News from Across the Rainy River District
Masks will no longer be part of the required dress code in most Ontario public spaces come Monday, as the government turns the public health measure into an individual choice. Weeks after the province lifted proof-of-vaccination rules and capacity limits, face coverings won’t be mandatory in schools, retail settings and […]
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has told several school boards looking to extend mask mandates to stick to the province’s end date because “they aren’t medical experts.” Several boards had said they’d like to keep mask requirements beyond the province’s end date of March 21, even for just two more weeks, […]
Vaccinated travellers will no longer require a negative COVID-19 test to come to Canada as of April 1, according to a source in the federal government. The change is welcome news, just in time for the tourist season, said Perrin Beatty, president of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and co-chair […]
Quebec doesn’t intend to revive any COVID-19 restrictions that have been removed, Health Minister Christian Dubé said Wednesday as he tabled a bill aimed at ending the public health state of emergency. Dubé told a news conference in Quebec City the legislation would maintain certain operational provisions until the end […]
The Ontario government is planning to soon make permanent an hourly wage increase for personal support workers that was brought in during the pandemic. A senior government source confirmed to The Canadian Press that the government intends to introduce legislation on the matter this month. The wage increase for health […]
Vaccination against COVID-19 will still be required for employees at many Ontario long-term care homes even though the province has lifted its official mandate for the sector, but some are concerned about the possibility of legal challenges. Workers in long-term care were the only ones required by the government to […]
Throughout the pandemic the government has issued directives that address masking, testing, vaccinations and visitor restrictions to ensure safety for patients, residents, clients, visitors, volunteers, staff, and physicians. Last week, the Ontario government’s health ministries announced removal of key COVID-19 directives, transferring oversight for these matters directly to the health […]
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has told several school boards looking to extend mask mandates to stick to the province’s end date because “they aren’t medical experts.” Several boards had said they’d like to keep mask requirements beyond the province’s end date of March 21, even for just two more weeks, […]
TORONTO – Joanna Dales started to worry about her young children as soon she heard of Ontario’s plan to lift mask mandates in most settings, including schools and daycares, later this month. Her one-year-old daughter is set to start daycare on March 21 – the day the masking requirements end […]
Based on encouraging public health indicators, the Ministry of Long Term Care is progressing with its plan to ease certain temporary measures currently in place to reduce the risk of COVID-19. Accordingly, Riverside Health Care has adjusted its COVID-19 visitation requirements for Long Term Care. Starting immediately: All general visitors […]
Ontario is removing most mask mandates on March 21 and ending all remaining public health orders a month later, shifting the onus of protection from COVID-19 to individuals – a move some experts worry comes too quickly. Improving health indicators, such as a stable test positivity rate and declining hospitalizations, […]
How has the COVID-19 pandemic changed after two years? More countries are shifting toward a return to normal and learning to live with the virus. Safe, effective vaccines have been developed and there’s better understanding of how to treat people sickened by the virus. Two years after the pandemic began, […]
