A news release from the Ontario government says Timiskaming District is moving from the green to a yellow zone, while Sudbury is having its restrictions loosened by moving from yellow to green.
The Timiskaming change comes on the heels of an outbreak at Teck Pioneer Residence in Kirkland Lake. Ministry direction requires an outbreak to be declared when a single case is confirmed in a resident or staff member. In this case, one staff member has tested positive.
The changes were made in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and local medical officers of health. In total six public health regions are moving to new levels per the Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework.
The Porcupine Health Unit region remains green.
"With public health indicators continuing to worsen in Toronto and Peel, we are making the difficult but necessary decision to extend public health measures to stop the spread of COVID-19, protect our hospital capacity and safeguard the key services we rely on," said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health.
"The government and the Chief Medical Officer of Health are actively consulting with local medical officers of health and local communities in these regions to determine what additional measures are required," says a news release. "In addition, earlier today Premier Doug Ford and Minister Elliott convened an emergency meeting with Dr. Williams and Ontario's hospital leaders to discuss the next steps to address the concerning trends in cases and hospital capacity in our province."
Based on the latest data, the following public health regions will move from their current level in the framework to the following levels effective Monday, Dec. 21, at 12:01 a.m.
- Grey-Lockdown
- City of Hamilton Public Health Services.
- Red-Control
- Brant County Health Unit.
- Niagara Region Public Health.
- Orange-Restrict
- Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington Public Health.
- Yellow-Protect
- Timiskaming Health Unit.
- Green-Prevent
- Public Health Sudbury & Districts.
All other public health regions will remain at their current level. Visit Ontario.ca/covidresponse for the full list of public health region classifications.
The province will continue to monitor local trends of key public health indicators across the province to determine if public health units should stay where they are or be moved to a different level. Public health units will stay in their level for a minimum of 28 days, or two COVID-19 incubation periods, at which time, the government will assess the impact of public health measures to determine if the public health unit should stay where they are or be moved to a different level.
Find out what level and which regional public measures are in place for your area.
