In response to the announcement of the provincewide shutdown released by the Government of Ontario – the North Bay Granite Club will be closed from Saturday, December 26, 2020 at 12:01am until Saturday, January 9, 2021 at 12:01am. Information regarding changes in league scheduling will be sent out in the new year.

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For more information about the provincewide shutdown please refer to the following document: https://files.ontario.ca/moh-provincewide-shutdown-en...

After meeting with our Board of Governors and General Managers, the OHL has made the decision to delay the start of the 2020-21 season. Training camps had been scheduled to begin in mid-January, many players were set to report to their teams in early January, and games were scheduled to commence on February 4, 2021.

This decision follows Premier Ford’s announcement of a province-wide shutdown in Ontario commencing on December 26, 2020. The League will continue to consult and work closely with Governments and health authorities to determine potential start dates in the new year.

The safety of all of our stakeholders and communities is our priority and we are committed to starting the 2020-21 season when it is safe to do so. We know that this is difficult news for many of our players, fans, billets, parents, staff and teams. However, the restrictions both provincially in Ontario as well as nationally with regards to cross-border travel have informed our decision.

On behalf of the OHL, we wish everyone a safe and healthy holiday season and we look forward to dropping the puck when we safely start the 2020-21 season.

There will be some changes to City of North Bay services, operations and facilities as Ontario moves into a province-wide shutdown on Dec. 26.

These changes include:

• City Hall will be closed to in-person services. Appointments will be required for in-person transactions and COVID-19 screening will be required.
• Residents are encouraged to access the drop box outside City Hall or access municipal services online where available at www.northbay.ca
• The Provincial Offences Administration Office will be closed for in-person services.
• The closure of all municipal arenas.
• Outdoor rinks will remain open. Users will be required to follow physical distancing and face covering protocols as outlined by public health. Washrooms will not be available.
• Transit will continue to operate under a modified schedule with mandatory face coverings and a passenger limit of 25.

The provincial government has indicated that North Bay and other Northern Ontario communities will be under a shutdown for a minimum of two weeks. The objective of the lockdown is to help stop the trend of high COVID-19 transmission in communities, preserve health system capacity, safeguard vulnerable populations and those who care for them, and save lives. According to the province, measures include, but are not limited to:

• Restricting indoor organized public events and social gatherings, except with members of the same household (the people you live with). Individuals who live alone may consider having exclusive close contact with one other household.
• Prohibiting in-person shopping in most retail settings - curbside pickup and delivery can continue. Discount and big box retailers selling groceries will be limited to 25 per cent capacity for in-store shopping. Supermarkets, grocery stores and similar stores that primarily sell food, as well as pharmacies, will continue to operate at 50 per cent capacity for in-store shopping.
• Restricting indoor access to shopping malls - patrons may only go to a designated indoor pickup area (by appointment only), essential retail stores that are permitted to be open (e.g. pharmacy, grocery store), or, subject to physical distancing and face covering requirements, to the food court for takeout purchases. Shopping malls may also establish outdoor designated pickup areas.
• Prohibiting indoor and outdoor dining. Restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments will be permitted to operate by take out, drive-through, and delivery only.

The City of North Bay is working closely with the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit and other community partners.  We will continue to share regular updates to keep residents informed on any changes to municipal programs and services.