DRYDEN, Ont. - With cases of COVID-19 rising across many parts of the country, including Manitoba and Southern Ontario, the Northwestern Health Unit is advising residents to avoid travelling outside the region.
Dr. Kit Young Hoon, medical officer of health with the Northwestern Health Unit issued the recommendation on Thursday, advising residents to perform a risk assessment before deciding to leave the region.
“Determine whether the purpose of your trip is worth the risk of potentially contracting COVID-19 and bringing it back to our area,” Young Hoon said in a media release.
“Northern Ontario is not seeing the spike in cases that other areas like Manitoba and Southern Ontario are seeing, and we must all do our part to keep it that way.”
Travel for sports and other non-essential activities are included in the recommendation by the Northwestern Health Unit.
“Travelling for sports is not considered essential and I would recommend that sports teams do not leave northern Ontario to compete in other areas of the province or country,” Young Hoon said.
Residents who do travel outside of Northern Ontario and have come in contact with a positive case of COVID-19 or exposed to an outbreak situation are advised to self-isolate for 14 days after returning.
The public is also advised to download and use the COVID-19 Alert app to be notified if they have come in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
There are currently two active cases of COVID-19 in the Northwestern Health Unit’s catchment area.
For more information visit the Northwestern Health Unit website.
