Municipal Impacts due to Provincial Move to Modified Step Two of Roadmap to Reopen

04 January 2022
Municipal Impacts due to Provincial Move to Modified Step Two of Roadmap to Reopen

Effective Wednesday, January 5, 2022, at 12:01 a.m., the Ontario government is temporarily moving the province into a modified version of Step Two of its Roadmap to Reopen.

These time-limited measures will help reduce the transmission of COVID-19 and prevent hospitals from becoming overwhelmed as the province continues to accelerate its booster dose rollout.

Measures include, but are not limited to:

  • Moving all publicly funded and private schools to remote learning until at least January 17, subject to public health trends and operational considerations.
  • Limiting indoor social gatherings and organized public events to 5 people and outdoor gatherings to 10.
  • Requiring businesses and organizations to ensure employees work remotely unless the nature of their work requires them to be on-site.
  • Limiting indoor weddings, funerals, and religious services, rites and ceremonies to 50% capacity of the particular room.
  • Limiting retail settings, including shopping malls, to 50% capacity.
  • Limiting personal care services to 50% capacity.
  • Closing indoor meeting and event spaces with limited exceptions but permitting outdoor spaces to remain open with restrictions.
  • Closing indoor dining at restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments. Outdoor dining with restrictions, takeout, drive through and delivery is permitted.
  • Closing indoor sport and recreational fitness facilities. Outdoor facilities are permitted to operate but with limited spectators and other requirements.
  • Limiting Library’s to 50% capacity of the particular room.

As a result of the framework under the modified Step Two, the following Penetanguishene municipal services, facilities and amenities are affected. These measures will be in place as of Wednesday, January 5 at 12:01 a.m.

  • The Penetanguishene Memorial Community Centre (Arena) and Penetanguishene Centennial Museum & Archives are closed to the public until further notice.  Staff will be available by phone or email during regular working hours to answer any inquiries. A full staff directory is available here.
  • The Penetanguishene Public Library remains open for service, with adjusted hours. Visit https://www.penetanguishene.library.on.ca/client/en_US/pen/ for details.
  • Community halls and meeting spaces remain unavailable for rental at this time.
  • Recreation Programs will operate virtually where possible until further notice. Program participants have been contacted directly.
  • Town Hall remains open by appointment only. For specific information on how to book an appointment, please refer to: Appointment Information

“We appreciate our community’s patience and understanding during this transition” says Mayor Doug Leroux. “Staff will continue to be available for residents and are happy to help residents navigate services online, over the phone and by appointment in-person when virtual methods are not sufficient.”

Online Options for Service

Residents continue to be encouraged to use online options for service. In cases where online options are not suitable, staff will work directly with the resident to make an appointment in person.

Online options regarding tax payment options are outlined here.  

Building Permits:https://ca.cloudpermit.com/login

Recreation Program Information Site: https://top.recdesk.com

A drop-box is available at the front of the administration office for non-urgent payment and correspondence. Drop-box items and mail will be collected periodically. 

 

The Town of Penetanguishene’s Emergency Management Team will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation. Updates are provided on our website at www.penetanguishene.ca.

We encourage you to sign up to receive public notice updates through email. To register please visit our subscription portal, here.  Alternatively, updates are provided on our social media channels on Twitter and Facebook.

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.

Scroll to top