As you might expect, there are significant decreases in traffic crossing the Blue Water Bridge. Both Canadian and US bridge officials report that auto traffic has decreased by around 95% and commercial truck traffic is down 38%.

Todd Kealey, Director of Communications of Marketing & Government Relations for the Federal Bridge Corporation in Ontario, said that last year at this time, there were an average of 2700 – 3200 cars crossing the bridge each day with thousands more on the weekends. Right now, there is an average of 110-125 cars crossing the border, the majority of them are essential workers employed in the U.S.

Canada and the United States agreed to restrict non-essential travel on March 21st. The Blue Water and other international bridges are being closed to everything but essential travel. The Michigan Department of Transportation announced the travel restrictions based on orders from the United States and Canadian Federal Authorities.

The restrictions also include all land ports and ferries between the U.S. and Canada. Only vehicles engaged in essential travel will be processed to cross the border. Essential travel includes U.S. citizens and permanent residents returning to the U.S., traveling for emergency response and public health purposes, and individuals engaged in lawful cross-border trade such as truck drivers supporting the movement of cargo between the U.S. and Canada. Truck travel remained virtually unchanged after the restrictions were put into place until the automotive industry shutdown.

If you have questions about crossing the bridges, contact Canadian officials at 519-337-8721 or US officials at 810-984-3131.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Wednesday April 15th, traffic slowed to a crawl around the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. Protesters in cars and trucks blocked streets to demonstrate opposition to the coronavirus restrictions put into effect by Michigan’s Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

The protest began at noon, and there were thousands of participants in vehicles honking horns and waving flags. Even though the Facebook group announcing the event asked protesters to stay in their vehicles, many disregarded the request and exited their cars to gather around the capitol. Protest organizers include the Michigan Conservative Coalition and the Michigan Freedom Fund. Their protest was called “Operation Gridlock”. The protesters are upset about Whitmer’s extended “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order, which placed new restrictions on residents and businesses through the end of April.

Protest organizers specifically point to limits on the type of merchandise stores are allowed to sell, the total closure of all indoor restaurant and bar dining facilities, and the limits on certain types of work people perform outside their homes. Whitmer contends that these restrictions are slowing the spread of the coronavirus.

The story caught the attention of national media with coverage on most networks. On a Facebook Live post, media organizers expressed surprise at how quickly the idea went viral. The group’s Facebook page announcing “Operation Gridlock” had more than 4,000 members as of Wednesday morning saying they planned to attend, while another 17,000 expressed interest.  Organizers estimate that upwards of 100,000 people participated in the protest.

Reporting for WGRT – Marty Doorn & Jessie Wiegand

This Monday Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order temporarily extending the expiration date of valid driver’s licenses, state identification cards, and commercial vehicle registrations that would otherwise expire.

“In times of crisis and uncertainty, the last thing you want to think about is having to renew your driver’s license or state ID card,” Whitmer said. “It is my sincere hope this order gives all Michiganders with expiring identification some peace of mind….” This executive order went into effect on April 13th, but it does not apply to drivers with suspended or revoked licenses.

The order temporarily extends commercial vehicle registrations, including temporary registrations to June 30th.  Driver’s licenses, learner’s permits and commercial driver’s licenses set to expire between March 1st and May 31st are also extended to June 30th.  Under the temporary order, penalties for driving with a recently expired but otherwise valid registration are also suspended.  All Secretary of State offices in Michigan are currently closed, making it impossible for residents to renew in person or online.

Reporting for WGRT – Marty Doorn

Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of April 15th at 5:30 PM are as follows:

• State of Michigan: 28,059 confirmed cases; 1,921 deaths
• St. Clair County: 234 confirmed cases; 8 deaths
• Ontario: 8,447 confirmed cases; 385 deaths
• Sarnia-Lambton: 119 confirmed cases; 11 deaths

In a virtual town hall meeting for St. Clair County organized by the Blue Water Chamber of Commerce today, Justin Westmiller, Homeland Security and Emergency Management Director, said that he understands testing is a problem in our area. He was hopeful that testing capabilities would be ramping up soon as county officials are working to establish testing services at our local hospitals.

The City of Sarnia has had great success with the COVID-19 reporting hotline, and by continuing to work together through these difficult times, we will stop the spread of COVID-19. By-Law Enforcement has received the following number of complaints and concerns lodged through the COVID-19 reporting system to date:

• Total number of complaints received: 473
• Total number of emails received: 416
• Total number of phone calls received: 57

Please note the above numbers do not include calls that were received through the Sarnia Police Services and dispatched to By-Law Staff or investigated by the Sarnia Police Services.

Please continue to rely on reputable sources for information on COVID-19:

• Centers for Disease Control:  cdc.gov/coronavirus
• State of Michigan: Michigan.gov/coronavirus  or Info Hotline  1-888-535-6136 Daily 8:00 am – 5:00 pm or email questions to COVID19@michigan.gov
• St. Clair County Health Department: COVID-19 Info Hotline (810) 966-4163 Mon – Fri, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm or email questions to covid19@stclaircounty.org
• St. Clair County Community Mental Health COVID-19 Support Line (810) 985-8900, available Monday-Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm
• Lambton Public Health: https://lambtonpublichealth.ca/2019-novel-coronavirus/
• City of Sarnia COVID-19 Hotline: 1-877-4-SARNIA (1-877-472-7642)

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

The coronavirus pandemic spreading around the world is leaving economic destruction in its path. Restaurants across St. Clair County and Lambton County have closed. Local auto showrooms are closed. Small businesses of every sort have been shuttered. However, clothing stores that were already struggling may feel the long-term impact even more than others.

Retailers were poised to sell their spring line of clothing, but they still have much of their winter clothing in stock. With schools and businesses closed and social gatherings and large celebrations essentially banned, the impact is compounded. Birchwood Mall in Fort Gratiot wass already reeling from the closure of many of its larger anchor stores, and small stores in downtown Port Huron, like The Closet, MI Passion, District 43, and Patrick & James were just starting to get established.

An interview this week with Anita Varty of MI Passion revealed the creative measures shop owners are putting in place to stay afloat. Anita is increasing her social media presence, taking online orders, and doing curbside or porch delivery for her customers. Her grand re-opening was interrupted by the pandemic, but she is staying positive and looking forward to welcoming customers into her new space at 217 Huron Avenue next to Kate’s Downtown.

Karen Palka, from The Closet by A Beautiful Me, a specialty dress store in downtown Port Huron, told WGRT that she remains optimistic that business will bounce back. Her team is also focusing on increasing The Closet’s social media presence and encouraging the business owners and community members around them. The Closet will be showcasing several nonprofits in their window display to promote community spirit and encourage gratitude.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Canada’s only producer of a key chemical used in manufacturing hand sanitizer is located in Corunna, just south of Sarnia.  Shell’s Corunna refinery is donating 125,000 litres of the key chemical to the Canadian government free of charge.

The donation  is being made to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada for use in the health-care sector, and their exclusive focus right now is the manufacture of hand sanitizer. The volume of isopropyl alcohol, or IPA, to be donated over the next three months is enough to create nearly one-million 12-ounce bottles of hand sanitizer.

Shell’s Corunna refinery, normally sells the chemical to a few customers in the United States that, in turn, manufacture hand sanitizer for stores across Canada and the U.S.  The  chemical produced in Sarnia is also being sold to other customers who use it for health-related purposes.  The CDC recommends the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers with greater than 60% ethanol or 70% isopropanol as the preferred form of hand hygiene.

Reporting for WGRT – Marty Doorn