Nursing homes and hospitals limit visitors, malls reduce store hours amid COVID-19 concerns

Hamilton is following the province's orders to not allow visitors into long-term care facilities as COVID-19 cases continue to pop up in Ontario.

The measure will affect both of the city's nursing homes, the Macassa Lodge and Wentworth Lodge.

"We understand this is extremely concerning for families of the residents who are at our long-term care facilities. This is a difficult time and we feel for them,"  Paul Johnson, Hamilton's manager of healthy and safe communities, said during the media update on Saturday.

"In end-of-life situations, there are exceptions made."

St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton has also restricted visitor access.

Now, patients are allowed just one visitor per day and only one visitor can accompany a patient to clinic or hospital visits.

Visiting hours have shifted from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and no visitors can accompany COVID-19 patients.

Hamliton and Burlington malls reduce hours

Cadillac Fairview Lime Ridge Mall in Hamilton and Mapleview Centre in Burlington are also reducing operating hours as local businesses and municipalities take precautions.

For the next two weeks effective Monday, CF Lime Ridge Mall will be open from Monday to Friday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the weekend.

"Access to the property will remain unchanged, as we understand there are some services and tenants that may operate as per their usual hours of business, and we will continue to support them in their approach," read a notice on the website.

"Prior to this declaration we had activated our pandemic plans, including the establishment of a Steering Committee, which meets daily to coordinate efforts across our portfolio."

The mall has also cancelled all events, put up more hand washing signs and increased cleaning.

Burlington's Mapleview Centre is taking similar precautions.

It will operate Monday to Friday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the weekend effective Monday.