have announced the first recipients of the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund.

There are no new cases of COVID-19 in the district.

That’s as of 3 pm this afternoon.

The North Bay-Parry Sound District Health Unit says three of the six cases are resolved, a woman in her 60’s who travelled to Florida is in hospital and two other cases are self-isolating.

Meantime, the health unit says there have been 355 tests overall. 245 have come back negative and  results on 104 tests are pending.

 

The local business community got the opportunity to find out more about what federal and provincial programs are available to help them deal with COVID-19 and its impact it has had on their business.

The COVID-19 Recovery Readiness conference call on Friday included participation from MPP Vic Fedeli, MP Anthony Rota and Mayor Al McDonald.

There were opportunities to submit questions.

Fedeli says right now it’s all about everyone being to able to purchase food and to pay for a roof over their heads and some steps have already been announced.

“If you’re a low income senior and there are gains in the annual income supplement . They’re automatically doubling and you won’t have to apply for that. If you’re a student the OSAP interest and principal are suspended,” Fedeli says.

Rota says many federal programs have been put together in the first few weeks of the crisis.

“Whether it’s income replacement or help for families through the family benefit plan. We’re increasing that and we’re making sure there is income for people as we go through this time,” Rota says.

McDonald says the three levels of government are working together so that the public knows what programs are available are available and where to go to get the right information.

McDonald says all three governments are dealing with the current situation but also planning for the day that business does return to normal.

 

A reminder for residents in North Bay and Callander that several restrictions are in place due to the provincial government exercising the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.

They include parks, sports fields and playgrounds being closed.

As well, any gatherings of more than five people are banned, also banned are any outdoor fires and there’s a list of non-essential businesses that are not allowed to be open.

In addition, there is a federal government mandatory quarantine for anyone returning to the country.

Police say officers are attempting to educate the public concerning the prohibitions in place but at some point enforcement action may become necessary.

Penalties for failing to comply include imprisonment or a fine of up to $100,000 for an individual, $500,000 for a director of a corporation and $10,000,000 for a corporation itself if a provincial offences officer charges the individual by issuing a summons.

 

(photo by station staff)

Filed under: covid-19, north-bay-parry-sound-district-health-unit