COVID-19 Information

Government Resources for Businesses

 The following is a list of resources business owners can access for support during the COVID19 pandemic:

• 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.

Financial assistance supports available through Human Services

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.

Ontario issues extension to Emergency Declaration to stop the spread of COVID-19

Ontario's Emergency Declaration has been extended until April 13, 2020 and now includes mandatory closure of all outdoor recreational amenities across the province. 

Schools and child care centres will remain closed to protect the health and safety of students and staff. Public schools will remain closed to teachers until Friday, May 1, 2020, and to students until Monday, May 4, 2020.

As these dates come closer, this decision will be re-evaluated based on public health advice. The closure may be extended if necessary to protect the health and safety of students, families and staff.

County's doctors ask seasonal residents to consider remaining at their primary residence

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.

Learn more.

Kawartha Lakes Human Services offices closed to the public

Kawartha Lakes Human Services offices are closed to the public until further notice. This includes the office at 68 Lindsay St. N. in Lindsay and at 49 Maple Ave. in Haliburton.

Services for the public are still being delivered and are available to all program recipients and tenants. New requests for service and general questions will still be received and addressed. 

Learn more.

HCDC Emergency Loan Program

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.

HHHS appeal for health care workers to assist with COVID-19 response

This news item originally appeared on highlandseast.ca

Haliburton Highlands Health Services (HHHS) is making an appeal to the local community for any Health Care Workers (retired, relocated, etc.) who have a skill set that can support the increasing need in the COVID-19 response.

Training and orientation to be provided 

Nurses are in high demand at this time, as is anyone who has a background in personal care from a variety of settings including home support workers/personal care attendants, dental hygienists, etc. HHHS will support the training and orientation for the skills required to support our patients and residents at this time.

Proactive approach to future needs

President and CEO, Carolyn Plummer states, "While we are currently able to meet the staffing needs with our existing complement of health care workers, we have been learning from the experience of other jurisdictions locally and internationally, and recognize the need to be proactive in ensuring we have staffing resources for the anticipated increase in need as this situation progresses."

If you are interested in making a contribution to the COVID-19 response, please contact:

Carl Carr
Human Resources Manager, HHHS
hr@hhhs.ca
Phone: 705-457-1392, extension 2254

Ontario and Canada call on businesses to aid in coronavirus response

Both the provincial and federal governments have launched programs asking for businesses to assist in providing supplies to help with the pandemic. Visit the sites below if you think your business can help:

Ontario Together: help fight Coronavirus

Calling all suppliers – Help Canada combat Coronavirus disease

Be aware of COVID19 scams

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.