COVID-19 Information

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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TORONTO ― In consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, Ontario is extending the provincial Declaration of Emergency to June 30. The decision supports the government's efforts to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak and protect the health and safety of Ontarians as the province reopens in a measured and responsible way. The extension, under s.7.0.7 of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, was approved by the Ontario legislature earlier today.

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 Friday, May 29, 2020

The Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit has been working tirelessly to seek clarification on the issue of resorts in the County of Haliburton and their classification as hotels/motels.  The local OPP detachment, in seeking clarification and a position that will be implemented across the province, has taken the matter to Command and have garnered support on the recommendation below.The provincial restriction on short term rentals remains in place. Questions about short term or private cottage rentals should be directed to the provincial Essential Business hotline at 1-888-444-3659 or to the Health Unit at 1-866-888-4577.The following items have been clarified:

• ENFORCEMENT SUPPORT LINE clarified that resorts may be considered “shared accommodations” which are part of the essential services that are permitted to open under section 13 of Schedule 2 of Emergency Order 82/20. There is no booking deadline provided for in the emergency order with respect to such shared accommodation.
• Services: Schedule 2 identifies the list of essential businesses. Section 13 lists: Hotels, motels, other shared rental accommodation including student residences, except for seasonal campgrounds and any pools, fitness centres, meeting rooms and other recreational facilities that may be part of the operations of these businesses.
• Resorts are operating in other counties served by HKPR District Health Unit.
• Other public health units jurisdictions, more specifically Simcoe Muskoka, Hastings Prince Edward and Renfrew County, Peterborough and Kingston Frontenac and Lennox County have reported resorts in their areas operating.
• Peterborough PHU and Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox County PHU are treating resorts (with ‘rentals cabins’) like hotels/motels and permitted to operate and rent out, following public health measures and keeping shared spaces closed.
• The existing Hotels / Motels are not restricted in the clients they rent accommodations to “not limited to essential workers but rent to vacationers” which creates an inequity if resort do not have the same opportunity.

Based on the information above, the health unit recommends allowing resorts to operate as “SHARED RENTAL ACCOMMODATIONS” or “MOTELS / HOTELS” with similar preventative measures that are applied in Hotels/Motels. Detailed proposals on how resorts intend to operate and meet the appropriate public health guidance will not be required.As was provided to the Hotel/Motel Industry, the health unit is available to provide support and relevant guidance to local resorts on strategies to comply with the required public health measures. Key resources available:

• COVID-19 Health and Safety Guidance for Hotel Reception, Room Service and Front Line Staff
• COVID-19 Health and Safety Guidance for Housekeeping and Laundry Employees

IMPORTANT TO NOTE:

Seasonal resorts would still be required to comply with all applicable legal requirements of Ontario Regulation 319/08 (Small Drinking Water Systems) regarding “Notification of Intent to Supply” (see section 5 (6) below) prior to opening.(6) Every owner and every operator of a small drinking water system who intends to begin to supply water to the users of the system after any period of more than 60 days duration during which the system has not been supplying water to users shall ensure that,(a) a water sample is taken and tested for Escherichia coli and total coliforms;(b) they are in receipt of the results of the water sample tests; and(c) the medical officer of health of the health unit where the small drinking water system is located is notified in writing of,(i) the proposed date on which the small drinking water system will begin to supply water to the users of the system,(ii) the name and address of the owner and any operator of the small drinking water system,(iii) the address that the small drinking water is located at and the name of the system, and(iv) the results of the tests conducted pursuant to this section.  O. Reg. 319/08, s. 5 (6).(7) The owner and operator of a small drinking water system to which subsection (6) applies shall ensure that no water is supplied to a user of that system until the medical officer of health is notified.  O. Reg. 319/08, s. 5 (7). 

• All food premises are required to remain limited to take-out only
• Pools, fitness centres, meeting rooms and other recreational facilities that may be part of the operations of these businesses must remain closed.

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.

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TORONTO — The Ontario government is protecting the health and safety of students during the COVID-19 outbreak by keeping schools closed for the rest of this school year. This decision was made after consulting with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, health experts on the COVID-19 Command Table, and medical experts at The Hospital for Sick Children. At the same time, the government is planning for the reopening of schools for the 2020-21 school year, the gradual reopening of child care, and the opening of summer day camps subject to the continuing progress in trends of key public health indicators.

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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.

Haliburton County Warden Liz Danielsen offers a message of support and encouragement during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Listen to the full message.

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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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  

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.

Physicians at the Haliburton Highlands Family Health Team have written a letter to seasonal residents asking that they consider remaining at their primary residence due to the county's limited ability to handle a large number of patients during the pandemic.

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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.

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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.