In an afternoon turnaround, the province announced on Friday afternoon that Niagara will be moving into the red level of the provincial COVID-19 response as of Monday.
The decision was announced hours after Premier Doug Ford held his regular media briefing, but did not mention anything about the plans for the future, other than that the zones already in lockdown could expect to remain there on Monday.
"As we head into the final week before Christmas, please limit any travel in the community. Support small local businesses in any way you can, but also try to limit your points of contact," St Catharines Mayor Walter Sendzik wrote in a statement on his website.
Neighbouring Hamilton will go into lockdown, after a similar increase in local cases.
Niagara had 55 new cases and 4 deaths reported on Friday, as well as several outbreaks in long-term and retirement facilities.
