An Ontario Mayor Is Demanding Highway Checkpoints To Stop People From Travelling North

An Ontario mayor is calling on Doug Ford to stop people from travelling north in the wake of recent COVID-19 cases.

Brian Bigger, the mayor of Greater Sudbury, announced on Monday that he is asking the province to set up highway checkpoints to deter travellers.

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The concept of checkpoints is not unrealistic and it has been proven as an effective tool. We are in the middle of winter and at a crossroads in this pandemic.  Mayor Brian Bigger 

Bigger promoted the idea of creating a "northern bubble" with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) stepping in to monitor travel.

The mayor stated that he plans to ask Ford's government to take immediate action this week in order to protect its seniors, kids, and hospitals. 

"I will be reaching out to the province again this week to request an action plan that will either stop or stymie traffic flow up Highway 69 unless absolutely necessary," he added.

The call for drastic measures comes as cases in the area continue to rise. 

Nine deaths and 520 COVID-19 cases have been reported. 

Since last year, lake towns have been begging people to stay home and not travel to northern regions.