Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Impacts on Municipal Services

25 September 2020

The Town of Penetanguishene continues to monitor news and updates concerning COVID-19 in order to ensure we work to keep our community members safe.  The following update provided on September 25th, 2020 is in addition to the updates provided from previous weeks located here.

Provincial Updates: The Government of Ontario announced the new limit on the number of people allowed to attend unmonitored private social gatherings across the province, effect last Saturday September 19th:

  • 10 people at an indoor event or gathering (previous limit of 50);
  • 25 people at an outdoor event or gathering (previous limit of 100)

Indoor and outdoor events and gatherings cannot be merged together. Gatherings of 35 (25 outdoors and 10 indoors) are not permitted. Unmonitored and private social gatherings include functions, parties, dinners, gatherings, BBQs or wedding receptions held in private residences, backyards, parks and other recreational areas.

Message from SMDHU: As local cases of COVID-19 sharply rise to numbers not seen since the spring, in addition to the provincial restrictions above, we are asking everyone in Simcoe Muskoka to shrink your social circles to those within your own household and to be cautious by reducing your exposure within the community.

To keep everyone safe, including those returning to school and those living in long-term care homes: 

  • shrink your close contacts (the people you can hug and touch without physical distancing) to only those people within your own household 
  • think carefully about how often you go out and what is essential 
  • parents should screen children for symptoms of COVID-19 every day before they leave for school; if a child has even one symptom, they should stay home and self-isolate 
  • those in the workforce should also monitor for symptoms and stay home if they have even a single symptom.

Ontario Updates COVID-19 Testing Guidelines: Dr. Barbara Yaffe, Associate Chief Medical Officer of Health has updated testing guidelines to prioritize those who are at the greatest risk, while shifting away from untargeted asymptomatic testing. Ontarians should only seek testing at assessment centres if you are:

  • Showing COVID-19 symptoms;
  • Have been exposed to a confirmed case of the virus, as informed by your public health unit or exposure notification through the COVID Alert app;
  • A resident or work in a setting that has a COVID-19 outbreak, as identified and informed by your local public health unit; and
  • Eligible for testing as part of a targeted testing initiative directed by the Ministry of Health or the Ministry of Long-Term Care.

COVID-19 Testing: The Midland COVID-19 Testing Clinic is by appointment only. Please call the assessment centre booking desk at 705-529-1025. The office is open 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm.

Governmnet of Canada Update: The Government of Canada announced a one-time $600 payment in recognition of the extraordinary expenses faced by persons with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The one-time payment will be automatically issued to:

FIRE AND OPP REMINDERS

OPP Reporting Tool: We remind residents that OPP ask that you report allegations of non-compliance with the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act by phoning 1-888-310-1122 or utilizing the online reporting tool at opp.ca/reporting.

Fire Safety: Fire permits are not required at this time. Please remember that fires are for recreational purposes and are only permitted between 4:00 pm to midnight. Please ensure you follow all guidelines outlined here.  

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