COVID-19 Municipal Update: February 12, 2021
The Town of Penetanguishene continues to monitor news and updates concerning COVID-19 to ensure we work to keep our community members safe. The following update provided on February 12, 2021 is in addition to the updates provided in previous weeks below.
The Town of Penetanguishene has CLOSED all Municipal Offices effective January 14, 2021. Services remain available online or by phone. Residents are encouraged to use online options for service where applicable.
Stay Home North Simcoe: A new highly contagious variant of COVID-19 has been confirmed in North Simcoe and the case count from this terrible virus continues to affect each of our communities. We all must continue to do our part to keep our community members safe and reduce the spread of COVID-19. Now is the time North Simcoe, stay home, stay safe, stay strong.
- Variants of COVID-19 are more contagious which means it will take more intensive efforts of the same public health practices to prevent transmitting infection to each other. For the most up to date numbers of the amount of confirmed variants in our region check here.
Workplace Safety Inspection Blitz in Simcoe Muskoka: Over the course of February 5-8, The Ontario government carried out workplace inspections in our community. The inspections were to help ensure essential businesses are following the public health guidelines so that workers and customers are properly protected from COVID-19. Businesses that were visited included big-box stores, grocery stores, service stations, hotels, warehousing and manufacturing businesses. 170 inspections were completed in SMHDU and 14 tickets issued.
SMDHU Outdoor Trail/Park Reminder: The provincial stay-at-home order allows for use of recreation trails and parks for exercise purposes. If you choose to utilize the trails and parks in our area, please ensure that you follow group gathering limits (5 people) and practice social distancing. All residents should conduct a self-assessment before going to a trail or park and refrain from going if you have any symptoms of COVID-19.
Ontario Government Updates:
Ontario Delays March Break in an Effort to Reduce Community Transmission of COVID-19: Yesterday, February 11, Stephen Lecce, Ontario's Minister of Education, issued the following statement regarding March break: "In support of our collective efforts to keep schools safe, we are postponing March break until April 12-16, 2021. This decision was made with the best advice of Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health and public health officials, including consultations with many local Medical Officers of Health.” Refer to the full release here: https://news.ontario.ca/en/statement/60325/on tario-delays-march-break-in-an-effort-to-reduce-community-transmission-of-covid-19
Ontario Extends Off-Peak Electricity Rates to Provide Relief for Families, Small Businesses and Farms. The off-peak rate of 8.5 cents per kilowatt-hour remains until Feb 22. This lower rate is available 24 hours per day, seven days a week for Time-Of-Use and tiered customers. Refer to the full release here: https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/60295/ontario-extends-off-peak-electricity-rates-to-provide-relief-for-families-small-businesses-and-farms-1
Contacting the Town of Penetanguishene: Residents are reminded that although the municipal offices are closed, staff will continue to work with residents to complete tasks over the phone, through dropbox services, and by email and regular mail. Staff can be contacted by phone or email during regular working hours, Town Hall Staff: 8:30 am 4:30 pm Public Works Administrative Staff 8:00 am – 4:00 pm. Please note all offices are closed from 12:00pm-1:00pm for staff lunches. Our website outlines each department and provides contact information for the appropriate staff member you may need.
Municipal Impacts by Department: A departmental chart that outlines the contact information and changes to each department is available here.
OPP Reporting Tool: We remind residents that OPP asks 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.
The Town of Penetanguishene's Municipal Emergency Team will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation.
For more information on the state of COVID-19 in our area, please contact the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520 or visit their website at simcoemuskokahealth.org.