COVID-19 Information

The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit has launched an online survey to see how COVID-19 is impacting people in the County of Haliburton. Let us know how COVID-19 is affecting you, what you’re doing to prevent the spread and how your behaviours have changed during the pandemic. The survey is voluntary and confidential. Begin the survey: https://yorkisr.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dpoUmaGdJoC0izj

Fall is a busy time for hunting in Haliburton County. Whether hunting moose, deer or other animals, it’s also important to take aim at COVID-19 by preventing its spread. Here are some tips from the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit on how to stay safe and make the most of your hunting experience during the pandemic.

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TORONTO — In consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, local medical officers of health and public health experts, the Ontario government is tightening public health measures. At the same time, in response to the second wave of COVID-19 and in preparation for the cold winter months, the government is taking action to reduce testing turnaround times while prioritizing those who are at the greatest risk.

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Please be advised that the Provincial guidelines established as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic apply to all hunt camps. This means that you cannot have more than 10 people inside your hunt camp as per the current gathering limit. Remember that you need to maintain physical distancing of 6 feet or more and to wear a face mask unless the others in your group are within your immediate household.

When travelling to a hunt camp remember to follow any travel advisories for the area. Ensure physical distancing by sticking to only 2 people per vehicle. The second person should sit in the back passenger side seat to ensure distance from the driver. Masks should also be worn at this time. The only exception to this limit is if travelling with people from your immediate household.

Ontario Releases Updated COVID-19 Modelling for Second Wave

TORONTO — The Ontario government today released updated COVID-19 modelling, which shows the province is experiencing a second surge in cases similar to what other jurisdictions have experienced. The province is providing the public with full transparency about the consequences if Ontarians are not vigilant in adhering to public health measures. The Chief Medical Officer of Health says Ontarians must be vigilant in adhering to public health measures to reduce the number of new cases and the spread of the virus.

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Ontario Delivers $2.8 Billion COVID-19 Fall Preparedness Plan

TORONTO ― The Ontario government has developed a $2.8 billion COVID-19 fall preparedness plan to ensure the province's health care, long-term care and education systems are prepared for the immediate challenges of the fall, including a second wave of COVID-19 and the upcoming flu season. Keeping Ontarians Safe: Preparing for Future Waves of COVID-19 will enable the province to quickly identify, prevent and respond to surges and waves of the virus to protect the health and safety of all Ontarians.

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County of Haliburton remains under a State of Emergency

This is a reminder to residents that the County of Haliburton remains under a State of Emergency.

We want to ensure that everyone, including our visitors, remains safe and we all take part in reducing the pandemic's impact overall.

Please do your part in stopping the spread of COVID-19 by regular hand washing, wearing a mask if you're able, respecting established social circles and maintaining physical distancing as required.

The County, working closely with our Emergency Operations Control team, will continue to monitor the state of the pandemic and update the status of the Emergency Declaration accordingly.

Meanwhile, keep safe and healthy, and we'll all get through this together.

Ontario Limits the Size of Unmonitored and Private Social Gatherings across Entire Province

TORONTO — The Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and the Public Health Measures Table, is reducing limits on the number of people permitted to attend unmonitored and private social gatherings across the entire province. 

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Ontario Launches New COVID-19 Screening Tool to Help Protect Students and Staff

TORONTO — The Ontario government launched a new voluntary interactive screening tool to assist parents, students and staff with the daily assessment of COVID-19 symptoms and risk factors that is required before attending school. The results will let parents, students, and education staff know whether they should attend school each day or guide at-risk individuals to proper resources. This tool is another layer of prevention that the province is using to protect the health and safety of students, staff, and the communities where they live and work.

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Ontario Takes Extraordinary Steps to Reopen Schools Safely

TORONTO — As students, teachers and staff return to school, the Ontario government is providing up to $1.3 billion in critical supports and has delivered more than 37 million pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) to safely reopen classrooms across the province. These investments are part of Ontario's comprehensive back to school plan which was developed in consultation with medical experts, school boards, and educators.

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The Ontario government, in partnership with the federal government, is delivering on its commitment to provide up to $4 billion in urgently needed one-time assistance to Ontario's 444 municipalities. Municipalities will be provided with up to $1.6 billion as part of the first round of emergency funding under the Safe Restart Agreement. The County of Haliburton will receive $1,435,300 million from the first round.

 This funding will help municipalities protect the health and well-being of the people of Ontario, while continuing to deliver critical public services as the province continues down the path of renewal, growth and economic recovery.

Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MPP Laurie Scott (front) visited the County of Haliburton today to announce the funding and is pictured here with County Warden Liz Danielsen (top, centre) and County Councillors Brent Devolin and Andrea Roberts. 

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COVID-19 Community Update

Haliburton County, ON – The County of Haliburton’s Emergency Control Group is in close and regular communications with the Haliburton Highlands Health Services Team, the Haliburton Highlands Family Medical Team, and the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit as it relates to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

We would like to remind residents of the following:

• If you have come into contact with a known or probable case of COVID-19, you must self-isolate for 14 days, as per the Class Order pursuant to Section 22 (5.0.1) of the Province of Ontario’s Health Protection and Promotion Act
• Anyone entering Canada—whether by air, land or sea— is required to self-isolate for 14 days, as per the Government of Canada’s Quarantine Act

To get tested for COVID-19, call the Haliburton County COVID-19 Community Assessment Centre at 705-457-1212 (press 6) during regular business hours or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866- 797-0000 to book an appointment for testing. If your symptoms are severe, call 9-1-1 and alert the dispatcher to your symptoms.

At this time, the County of Haliburton remains under a State of Emergency.

While the provincial declaration of emergency has ended, the newly created “Reopening Ontario Act” will provide the province with the necessary flexibility to address the ongoing risks and effects of the COVID-19 outbreak. We want to ensure that as a County, we remain vigilant in order to reduce the impact of the pandemic on our community as a whole; and that residents and visitors continue to be protected.

Please exercise continued diligence in preventing the spread of COVID-19 by regular hand washing, wearing a mask if you’re able, respecting established social circles and maintaining physical distancing as required.

For regular updates, please continue to follow the County of Haliburton on social media and our website: facebook.com/countyhaliburton | twitter.com/haliburtoncty | haliburtoncounty.ca

For more information please contact:

Amanda Virtanen

Emergency Information Officer

County of Haliburton Office: (705) 286-1333 x 230

Mobile: (705) 455-2617

Use of Non-Medical Masks and Face Coverings in Commercial Establishments

To prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit is instructing that non-medical masks or face coverings be worn in many indoor public spaces in the area. This instruction takes effect at 12:01 am on July 13, 2020, and includes commercial establishments and businesses in Haliburton County, Northumberland County and the City of Kawartha Lakes.

For full requirements, please visit the HKPR website.

Ontario Providing Additional Support for Seniors

TORONTO — The Ontario government is providing up to $4 million for the Seniors Community Grant Program, a significant increase over last year. This funding will help non-profit organizations, local services boards, or Indigenous groups develop programs for seniors that focus on combatting social isolation, promoting seniors' safety and well-being, improving financial security and making communities age-friendly.

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TORONTO ― As Ontario safely and gradually begins to reopen, the provincial government is investing $150 million in reliable broadband and cellular service. This funding will help create even more economic and educational opportunities in rural, remote and underserved areas of the province. This is part of the province's $315 million initiative called Up to Speed: Ontario's Broadband and Cellular Action Plan.

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Ontario is launching the new Ontario Community Support Program to assist low-income seniors and people with disabilities in need, by providing delivery of meals, medicines and other essential items to those in need during COVID-19.Seniors, persons with disabilities and people with underlying medical conditions, their families or caregivers can access delivery services by visiting www.ontariocommunitysupport.ca.

The Ontario government is offering direct financial support to parents while Ontario schools and child care centres remain closed as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

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• Canada Emergency Business Account 
• Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
• New Loan Guarantee (via Export Development Canada) 
• Business Credit Availability Program
• Changes to Taxes & Benefits  

Learn more about support for businesses and individuals via Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan.

Effective immediately there is a temporary one-time discretionary benefit available to those in receipt of Ontario Works to address additional costs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. This benefit provides a maximum of $100 to single individuals or $200 to families of two or more.Emergency financial support is also available to Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton County residents who are not in receipt of Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program and are in financial crisis as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.Further details can be found on the City of Kawartha Lakes website.