Sarnia-Lambton is not included among the regions being advanced to Stage 3 of Ontario's reopening plan.
Premier Doug Ford announced Monday afternoon that 24 regions are moving to the third stage effective Friday, July 17 at 12:01 a.m.
Areas being held back include Lambton, Windsor-Essex, Toronto, York, Peel, Durham, Niagara, Haldimand-Norfolk, and Halton-Hamilton.
Ford said since those regions were delayed in moving to Stage 2, they need more time to make sure there's no spike in cases.
"I want the people in these regions to know that we won't leave anyone behind. We will provide an update every Monday on regional reopenings, and will keep working until every part of this province gets to Stage 3. This is great news, we're moving forward as a province but we can't stop. We won't stop until we get every worker in Ontario back to work and back on their feet. Today's news is an important step forward."
Nearly all businesses and public spaces will reopen in Stage 3 with public health and workplace safety measures and restrictions in place.
As part of the Stage 3 reopening, Ontario will be increasing gathering limits for those regions entering the next stage.
Indoor limits will increase to a maximum of 50 people, while outdoor limits will increase to a maximum of 100 people.
Regions remaining in Stage 2 will maintain the existing gathering limit of 10 and social circles in all stages will also be kept to a maximum of 10 people province-wide, regardless of stage.
Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley expressed surprise and frustration with Lambton County being held back once again.
"Given the statistics that have been static for the last week, and the fact that the numbers have been going down, I thought there was a very good case for us to move to Stage 3 along with most of the province. The first time around I understood because there was a high number of cases and they were continuing to go up. It's a mystery why we would now be held back when most of the rest of the province is moving forward."
Bradley said local businesses will be at a competitive disadvantage.
"It's been a struggle when you look to the different business people that I have talked to throughout the community daily. They were seeing some light at the end of the tunnel when we were looking at Stage 3 to help them survive. Patios are great for the restaurant business, but they aren't the answer. Normalcy in retail is to get back to having that interaction with customers in a safe way."
Further details of the provincial announcement can be found here.
-With files from Josh Boyce
