Christmas Eve is one week away and the Northwestern Health Unit is out with a new set of travel recommendations.
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kit Young Hoon says for travel within Ontario they’re using the provincial COVID-19 framework as their guide.
Travel within Ontario:
-People in higher transmission areas should avoid travel to lower transmission areas (e.g., from Red to Orange, from Yellow to Green) except for essential reasons.
-Avoid all non-essential travel to areas that have higher levels of COVID-19 (Orange, Red and Grey levels).
-Those returning to our area from very high risk areas (Lockdown or Grey) in Ontario, should drastically reduce close contact with others for 10 to 14 days after arriving home.
Inter-provincial travel:
-Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others.
-Self-isolate, or drastically reduce close contact with others 10 to 14 days after returning home to help lower the risk of spreading COVID-19.
-Manitoba border communities who use Kenora as their main service hub and do not travel west of Falcon Lake are exempt from this recommendation.
The Northwestern Health Unit catchment area is currently in the Yellow-Protect category.
Dr. Kit Young Hoon says following all of these recommendations will help lower the risk of exposure to the coronavirus.
She reminds the public that anyone who travels and develops symptoms should self-isolate and get tested for COVID-19.
It’s also advised that residents do not host out of town guests for non-essential reasons.
