Following a call by Greater Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger and several other prominent Sudburians for a Northern Ontario COVID-19 bubble, the mayor said he was able to speak to Ontario Premier Doug Ford about the issue Tuesday evening.
Bigger is calling for the implementation of safety measures such as checkpoints to stem traffic of unnecessary travellers coming north.
The mayor said Ford committed to being in contact with Minister Sylvia Jones, Ontario's Solicitor General, to explore what options there may be when it comes to implementing road checks on Highway 69 toward Greater Sudbury.
Bigger said Ford also reiterated the threat and danger of the new variants and their ability to travel. He also indicated that there would be enhanced communication efforts to further enforce his request that everybody stay at home unless it’s absolutely necessary to go out.
“As Mayor, I am committed to continuously advocating for all of our safety and pursuing what is best for our community,” said Bigger in a statement issued Wednesday morning.
“ I promise to keep council, residents and the media up to date in my ongoing conversations and the developments I hope occur in the very near future.
“Until then - please stay at home, be safe and make the right decisions when it comes to the health of yourself and others.”
Among those calling for a northern bubble are former Sudbury mayor Jim Gordon — he shared his views with Sudbury.com yesterday — as well as Dr. Peter Zalan, past-president of the medical staff at Health Sciences North.
On Feb. 1, an online panel gathered to discuss Bigger’s call for action. You can watch that below.
