COVID-19 Information

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

County of Haliburton Remains under a State of Emergency

As the Civic Holiday approaches, making August 1st-3rd one of the busiest weekends in the Haliburton Highlands, this is a reminder to residents that 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 of the pandemic’s impact on our community as a whole; and that residents and visitors continue to be protected.

Everyone must do their part to the stop 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 of Haliburton, 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.

We wish everyone a safe and healthy holiday weekend.

Ontario Releases Plan for Safe Reopening of Schools in September

TORONTO — The Ontario government is announcing the safe reopening of schools for in-class instruction beginning this September. The government has unveiled a plan that prioritizes the health and safety of students and staff, and provides school boards with unprecedented resources and flexibility, while accommodating regional differences in trends of key public health indicators. This plan was developed in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, the COVID-19 Command Table and paediatric experts.

Learn More.

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.

Learn more.

TORONTO — People throughout Ontario are being encouraged to establish a social "circle" of no more than 10 people who can interact and come into close contact with one another without physical distancing. Dr. David Williams, Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health, updated public health advice to come into effect immediately province-wide to allow social circles of up to 10 members, including those outside the immediate household. Social circles will support the mental health and well-being of Ontarians and help reduce social isolation.

 Learn More.

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.

Learn more.

Face coverings now recommended when physical distancing is a challenge.TORONTO — As the Ontario government carefully and gradually reopens the province, those taking public transit, returning to work or going out shopping are being urged to continue to adhere to public health advice as the best line of defence against COVID-19. To assist the public, the Ministry of Health today released specific recommendations on how to choose, wear and care for appropriate face coverings used in public where physical distancing is not possible, along with additional safety measures for provincial transit agencies.

Learn more.

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.

Learn more.

The Federal government has released a new app that provides Canadians with the most up-to-date information on the COVID-19 pandemic.

Get the app here.

• 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.

The Haliburton County Development Corporation has an Emergency Loan Program to help local businesses impacted by the pandemic. HCDC is also encouraging their existing loan clients to contact them to discuss options.

Learn more.

Fraudsters are using the coronavirus pandemic to profit from consumers' fears. Scams range from selling overpriced goods, fake cures and tests to trying to steal your personal and financial information while posing as a charity or business.We recommend using the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre to protect yourself.