The Municipal Emergency Control Group (MECG) met today with various community partners as part of its ongoing management of the COVID-19 situation. Officials are starting to assess lessons of the first phase wave of the pandemic as re-opening starts and they look ahead to preparing for fall and winter.

“I want to acknowledge the collaboration of our partners in responding to COVID-19,” said Mayor Bill Mauro. “As the Province moves forward with reopening the economy, it’s going to be a challenging time over the next three to four weeks. Some of the outdoor activities people have been waiting for will start to be available and we need to continue to raise awareness that it’s critical to continue to practice physical distancing to keep each other safe.”

Those in attendance represented the City of Thunder Bay, Thunder Bay Police Service, Thunder Bay Fire Rescue, Superior North EMS, tbaytel, Synergy North, Thunder Bay Airport, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, Thunder Bay District Health Unit, District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board, Aurora Borealis Catholic District School Board, Lakehead Public Schools, the Catholic District School Board, Lakehead University and Confederation College.

Bill Bradica, Chief Administrative Officer of The District of Thunder Bay Social Services Board, provided an update as the service manager for Ontario Works and the homelessness system throughout the District of Thunder Bay. He indicated that the number of applications for Ontario Works and usage of emergency shelters are at or slightly below historical averages, with additional assistance provided to address the impacts of COVID-19 and support physical distancing.

“So far we are managing and it’s a good news story,” he said, though he expressed concern if some jobs don’t return in the months to come. “We are looking ahead to the fall and the winter,” he said. “That’s our concern.”

Testing will continue to be important as the community starts to re-open, said Dr. Janet DeMille, Medical Officer of Health. “As our communities start to reopen, it will be vitally important to continue public health measures, such as physical distancing, and to perform sufficient testing to be able to effectively monitor what is happening in our communities.”

Police, Health Unit and By-law Officers have taken an active role in educating members of the public about the importance of physical distancing.

As some restrictions are lifted, residents who have concerns about businesses and individuals who are not following Ontario’s COVID-19 related orders can phone (807) 625-5900 or toll-free 1 (888) 294-6630 to report any instances of non-compliance. This phone line will be monitored between 8:30 am and 7:00 pm, Monday to Friday, and between 9 am and 5 pm Saturday and Sunday.

This includes residents gathering in large groups. The MECG is holding weekly meetings.

For more information:

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Contact: Stacey Levanen, Supervisor – Corporate Communications, 625-3650