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Good morning, Sudbury! Here are eight stories to start your day

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Transit users in Greater Sudbury will be able to ride free as the City of Greater Sudbury is waiving bus fares in an effort help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Good morning, Greater Sudbury.

Here are some stories to start your day.

City waiving transit fees, makes changes to how riders can board buses:

Transit users in Greater Sudbury will be able to ride free as the City of Greater Sudbury is waiving bus fares in an effort help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Furthermore, riders must board and exit buses through the rear doors only. Anyone with accessibility needs can still use the front doors. The front seats of each bus have been blocked off to maintain required space around the operator. Riders are asked to stay behind the yellow line at the front of the bus to ensure proper social distancing.

City scaling back services in response to COVID-19:

The City of Greater Sudbury, with guidance from Public Health Sudbury and Districts, is taking additional steps to limit the potential spread of COVID-19 in the community, while maintaining services that are essential to residents and businesses. Mayor Brian Bigger held a brief telephone conference on March 19 to go over the changes that will take effect beginning Friday, March 20, and will remain in place until April 5. The city is closely monitoring local COVID-19 developments and will re-evaluate city service and program changes as needed. Tom Davies Square and the 199 Larch St. building will be temporarily closed to the public as of 4:30 p.m. on March 19.  Access to the following essential services will be available by appointment only: Ontario Works, Housing Registry, Building Services, including permits, Planning Services, including rezoning applications, By-law Services, including business and lottery licences. To schedule an appointment, or for more information, call 311. Residents attending Tom Davies Square and 199 Larch St. for appointments will be screened, as per Health Unit guidelines. Get the full story here.

If your restaurant is still serving food, let Sudbury.com know — we'll share it for you:

You're stuck at home. The grocery stores are limited in what they can supply. You've been home all day but don't want to cook. Sudbury.com invites local restaurants who are still serving food to let us know — we're looking to create a running list of eateries for hungry readers to contact. Among the restaurants reaching out to customers are the members of the Sudbry Hospitality Association of Restaurant Entrepreneurs: Bella Vita Cucina, di Gusto, Hardrock 42, JD Southern Smokehouse, M.I.C., Mr. Prime Rib, P&M Kouzzina, Verdicchio Ristorante and Tony V's. “As restaurateurs, we’re used to being flexible, to change minute by minute,” said Leslie Moutsatsos of P&M Kouzzina. “Right now, we need to ensure that our customers, friends and loved ones are safe, but also that our employees and businesses can survive this challenge.  "That’s why we want Sudbury to know they can still enjoy our fantastic food – just in a slightly different way.” If you are a restaurant owner or know of a restaurant that is open, let us know by emailing [email protected].

Halton Region health unit reports Ontario's 2nd COVID-19 death:

A local Ontario health unit is reporting a second death in the province linked to COVID-19. Halton Region Public Health says the man in his 50s also had an underlying health condition. Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott wasn't immediately able to confirm the death. She says it is still unknown whether COVID-19 was the cause of death in the first linked fatality in the province, or if that 77-year-old man died from another cause, but also had the virus. Ontario reported 43 new COVID-19 cases Thursday, bringing the total in the province to 257, including the one earlier death and five resolved cases.

In emergency session, Ontario passes COVID-19-related job protection legislation:

In an emergency session of the legislature this afternoon, the Ontario government passed two pieces of special COVID-19 legislation. The Employment Standards Amendment Act (Infectious Disease Emergencies), 2020 will provide job-protected leave for employees who are in isolation or quarantine due to COVID-19, or those who need to be away from work to care for children because of school or day care closures or to care for other relatives. The protection is retroactive to Jan. 25, the date the first presumptive COVID-19 case was confirmed in Ontario. The legislation also ensures employees can't be required to show sick notes. The province has also suspended renewals for driver's licenses, licence plate stickers and health cards during the COVID-19 pandemic. This extension means that anyone whose government cards are expired or are soon to expire are still valid until an unspecified date. Extensions are being granted for Ontario driver’s licences, driving instructor licences, Ontario Photo Card, Enhanced Driver’s Licence, and also the requirement to register a vehicle or address change.

Laurentian and Huntington students living in rez encouraged to return home:

Given the COVID-19 state of emergency, Laurentian University is now encouraging students living in residence to return home if they are able to do so. “Those students who need to remain on campus will be accommodated,” said a March 17 letter from Laurentian president Robert Haché, which was posted on the university's website late Tuesday night. “Details are being communicated at this time as to the move-out schedule and access to services for those remaining on campus.” Last week, Laurentian moved classes to online delivery until further notice. Given the situation with COVID-19, the Laurentian University Senate passed a number of motions Tuesday to enable the completion of the term on the absence of face-to-face classes. The university said details of these measures will follow shortly from the vice-president, academic and provost. Huntington University is also encouraging their students to move out, if possible, as indicated by the school's president and vice-chancellor Kevin McCormick on March 19.

Funerals, cremation and burials amidst COVID-19:

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus and its associated illness, COVID-19, has brought a lot of uncertainty to Canadians' daily lives, not only concerning their health, but what should happen if it fails. Although tragedy is something the community as a collective is fighting to avoid, rest assured that individuals who pass away during the pandemic and their families will receive the same, if not more, end-of-life-care than that offered previously, at least until further notice. On March 16, Ontario Premier Doug Ford declared a state of emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, ordering the closure of various public spaces and banning events of 50 people or more. You might be wondering how this directive will impact the treatment and celebration of those who die during this time, whether from COVID-19 or not. In short, it won't affect service at all, aside from the 50-person limit, said Gerry Lougheed Jr., owner and funeral director of Lougheed Funeral Homes. Individuals in the funeral industry are well accustomed to dealing with the dangers of viral infection, he said March 18. More on this story here.

You can still buy booze, but LCBO and the Beer Store have reduced operating hours:

Don't worry, there won't be a booze shortage during this pandemic, but you should be aware that the LCBO is reducing operating hours. Beginning March 19, all LCBO stores will operate from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. daily. "This measure follows previous action taken to elevate store cleaning and sanitization protocols and increased prevention awareness amongst employees," the LCBO said in a news release. If you don't want to hit a store, delivery options remain available to customers through Canada Post. Stores are not accepting product returns at this time. If you have something to return, LCBO advises you to hold on to the product and any receipts. All eligible returns will be honoured at a future date. The Beer Store is reducing store hours and pausing recycling until March 31 to enhance efforts to protect employees and customers.  Starting March 19, the Beer Store has reduced store hours to 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Stores that operate from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. are unaffected. Sunday hours remain unchanged. All updated store hours are available at www.thebeerstore.ca

Friday Weather:

Rain this morning changing to periods of snow late in the morning and ending in the afternoon. Cloudy throughout the day with 40 per cent chance of flurries and risk of freezing rain near noon. Friday's high will be sitting at around 3, falling to -6 later in the afternoon. The temperature will plummet tonight, dropping to -18. Overnight low will feel like -27 with the wind chill. For current weather conditions, short-term and long-term forecasts visit Sudbury.com's weather page at www.sudbury.com/weather.

Current Weather

Mostly Cloudy

Mostly Cloudy

-4.6°C

Pressure
101.5 falling
Visibility
24.1 km
Dewpoint
-7.5 °C
Humidity
80%
Wind
SW 6 km/h

Radar Satellite


Hourly Forecast

Today
5 AM
-6°C
Cloudy
Today
6 AM
-6°C
Cloudy
Today
7 AM
-6°C
Cloudy
Today
8 AM
-6°C
Cloudy
Today
9 AM
-4°C
Cloudy
Today
10 AM
-2°C
Cloudy
Today
11 AM
0°C
Cloudy
Today
12 PM
0°C
Overcast
Today
1 PM
0°C
Overcast
Today
2 PM
0°C
Overcast
Today
3 PM
1°C
Overcast
Today
4 PM
2°C
Cloudy

7 Day Forecast

Chance of flurries

Tonight

-6 °C

Cloudy. 60 percent chance of flurries early this evening. Wind southwest 20 km/h gusting to 40 becoming light this evening. Low minus 6. Wind chill near minus 10.


Overcast

Friday

3 °C

Overcast. Wind becoming west 20 km/h near noon. High plus 3. Wind chill minus 8 in the morning. UV index 2 or low.


Cloudy

Friday night

-7 °C

Cloudy. Wind up to 15 km/h. Low minus 7. Wind chill minus 12 overnight.


Chance of flurries

Saturday

3 °C

A mix of sun and cloud with 40 percent chance of flurries. High plus 3.


Chance of flurries

Saturday night

-6 °C

Cloudy with 40 percent chance of flurries. Low minus 6.


Sunny

Sunday

6 °C

Sunny. High 6.


Clear

Sunday night

-4 °C

Clear. Low minus 4.


Sunny

Monday

9 °C

Sunny. High 9.


Cloudy

Monday night

-3 °C

Cloudy. Low minus 3.


A mix of sun and cloud

Tuesday

4 °C

A mix of sun and cloud. High plus 4.


Chance of flurries or rain showers

Tuesday night

-3 °C

Cloudy periods with 30 percent chance of flurries or rain showers. Low minus 3.


Chance of flurries or rain showers

Wednesday

5 °C

A mix of sun and cloud with 40 percent chance of flurries or rain showers. High plus 5.


Yesterday

Low
-4.4 °C
High
1.6 °C
Precipitation
1.2 mm

Normals

Low
-7.1 °C
High
3.2 °C
Average
-2.0 °C

Sunrise and Sunset

Sunrise
7:08 AM
Sunset
7:50 PM

Record Values

Type Year Value
Max 1977 14.7 C
Min 1970 -22.2 C
Rainfall 2009 26.6 mm
Snowfall 1975 8.1 cm
Precipitation 2009 27.2 mm
Snow On Ground 1959 94.0 cm

Based on Environment Canada data