Officials with Impala Canada are clarifying reports that some miners from their Lac des Iles facility broke mandatory self isolation at the Valhalla Inn. An earlier statement to our newsroom from the Thunder Bay District Health Unit may have implied the miners were employed by Impala.
In a statement to our newsroom the company says “We believe it is important to stress that NO self-isolated LDI team member has left the hotel property.” The statement goes on to say “There are measures in place to ensure that everyone at the hotel observes self-isolation protocols.”
The company says it appears the confusion stemmed when two people who are contract workers left their room, but not the property, for a cigarette and then displayed inappropriate behavior to hotel staff. They are now off the hotel property in isolation elsewhere.
The company collaborates information in our earlier story that police were called, however it was to make sure staff from the hotel understood isolation rules and they were there if needed.
Meantime, the Medical Officer of Health for the Thunder Bay District Health Unit said there are two public health inspectors at the hotel site to make sure the workers adhere to the isolation protocols.
The company says 168 workers are at the hotel in isolation for 14 days after 11 employees tested positive for COVID-19.
