Ontario Norhtland has suspended the Polar Bear Express passenger train service between Cochrane and Moosonee.

The suspension will take effect next Tuesday.

Ontario Northland says this is being done due to heightened concern for remote communities that are especially vulnerable to the spread of COVID-19.

Freight service between Cochrane and Moosonee will continue as scheduled.

If you have reservations after next Monday you will be contacted by Ontario Northland and fully reimbursed.

(real estate)

The COVID-19 pandemic is expected to have an impact on real estate sales and pricing across the province and locally.
But, the President of the North Bay Real Estate Board says it’s too early to tell exactly what will happen.
He does say the first quarter of the year was positive.
“Our residential sales for the first quarter of this year are over the first quarter sales of last year, but I certainly don’t want to speculate what’s going to happen in the second quarter and I don’t want to speculate what’s going to happen with prices, it’s too early to tell,” he says.
Jamieson says this is a time for realtors to put clients and communities first and focus on protecting the health of all Ontarians.
If there’s an urgent need to buy or sell a home, they have recommendations.
“We’re asking realtors to encourage clients to use modern technologies to facilitate remote interactions such as virtual tours, video conference calls and digital signings as much as possible,” He says.
Jamieson says they continue to get requests for listings and showings.
He says all 13 member brokerages with the North Bay Real Estate Board recently agreed to voluntarily suspend all open houses until further notice.

(testing)

159 tests have comeback negative for COVID-19 in the district. The latest stats on the Health Unit website show that’s up two from yesterday. Meantime, the number of pending results is up 36 to 148. The turnaround time is 4-6 business days. There’s been six confirmed cases so far.

(Clear Springs)

The Clear Springs Golf Course clubhouse will remain closed until April 30th. Officials say memberships can be arranged by email or phone.

(YMCA)

The North Bay YMCA is now the home of a new emergency homeless shelter.

The shelter opening which took place on Wednesday is located in the main gym where there’s close access to showers and washrooms.

There’s enough space for 40 people including staff and there will be four staff and one security person on hand at all times 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week.

As well, protocols will be put in place including social distancing, hygiene and isolation with isolation rooms available for suspected COVID-19 cases.

Partners in the project include the City of North Bay, the Nipissing District Housing Corporation, The District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board and Nipissing Mental Health Housing and Support Services.

Filed under: clear-springs, north-bay-parry-sound-district-health-unit, north-bay-real-estate-board, ontc