| News Release
June 24, 2020 Province Focuses on Safe, Gradual Reopening of RegionsTORONTO ― In consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, the Ontario government has extended the provincial Declaration of Emergency under s.7.0.7 of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act to July 15, 2020. This extension, approved by the Ontario Legislature earlier today, provides Ontario with the additional time, flexibility, and the necessary tools to safely and gradually allow more places to reopen, while continuing to support frontline health care providers in the fight against COVID-19. “As we gradually and safely reopen our economy, our frontline care providers can continue to rely on these emergency orders to better protect our seniors and most vulnerable citizens and provide the flexibility to put resources where they’re needed most,” said Premier Doug Ford. “We are hopeful that another extension of the Declaration of Emergency will not be needed as we see improvements in the public health trends and as people and businesses continue to act responsibly and adapt to the new environment.” The provincial Declaration of Emergency enables the government to make, and as needed amend, emergency orders that protect the health and safety of all Ontarians. Emergency orders in force under the Declaration of Emergency include those allowing frontline care providers to redeploy staff to areas most in need, limiting long-term care and retirement home employees to working at one home, and enabling public health units to redeploy or hire staff to support the province’s enhanced case management and contact tracing strategy. These measures continue to be needed to protect seniors and other vulnerable populations from the threat of COVID-19. The extension of the Declaration of Emergency will allow the province to make or amend emergency orders as needed as it continues to ease restrictions in support of its phased reopening. In consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, the government will continue to monitor public health trends related to COVID-19 and assess on an ongoing basis whether the provincial Declaration of Emergency needs to be extended further. The government will also continue to review emergency orders currently in place to determine when and if it is safe to amend or lift them as more places in the province are allowed to reopen in a safe and measured way. As of June 24, 33 public health unit regions have entered Stage 2 of the Framework for Reopening our Province, allowing more businesses and services to open and getting more people back to work. The Windsor-Essex County public health unit region remains in Stage 1 and the situation in the region will continue to be assessed on an ongoing basis. A full list of emergency orders can be found on the e-Laws website under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act and at Ontario.ca/alert. |
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Update – Live music on Food Premises Operating Patios
For those who have questions regarding musicians performing in hospitality sector outdoor patios, I provide the following information. The wording in the Regulation is as #1 below – No dancing or singing may be permitted in the outdoor dining area (patio).
Earlier this week when I was made aware of this issue, I contacted Dr Paula Stewart, MOH for Leeds, Grenville & Lanark and requested if the Health Unit would consider providing guidelines so that singing could occur safely for the musician, staff and customers. The next morning. I was pleased to hear from Dr Stewart that the below guidelines had been approved.
Westport needs to give a shout out to Dr Stewart and all of the staff at the Leeds, Grenville & Lanark Health Unit as this is another occasion when, on behalf of the residents of the Village, I have contacted her or one of her staff for direction or a decision during the pandemic. Their responses have been quick and thorough. Thank you Paula and your staff!
Dancing and Singing
- No dancing or singing may be permitted in the outdoor dining area (patio).
- Instrumental music is allowed in the dining area as long as the musician is at least 2m/6ft away from another person, and people other than the musician do not play the instrument.
- For singing musicians, they must be 12 ft away from the dining area or behind plexi-glass, and no other people can be in the same area as the musician.
WE CAN’T CONGREGATE, BUT WE CAN DECORATE for CANADA DAY!!
We are putting a few surprises together for Canada Day, including decorating the Village! Although the bicycle parade, breakfast and fireworks are cancelled this year because of COVID, July 1st is still an important day for Canadians to celebrate.
I am looking for a few volunteers who can spend about 30 minutes on the evening of June 30 to get things ready for July 1! There is no heavy lifting.
We specifically need volunteers for the following streets:
1. Mulville Bay Lane
2. Lakeview
3 Concession – County Rd #10 to Rideau St
4. Concession – Rideau St to Bedford
5. Church St – Rideau to Spring
6. Main St – Rideau to Spring
7 Main St – Spring to Bedford
8. Main St – Bedford to village limit
9. Rebecca Lane
10. Bedford St
If you would like to lend a hand for a great cause, pls email me at rjones@villageofwestport.ca
Canada/U.S. border closure extended for another month
An agreement has once again been reached between Canada and the United States to keep the border closed to all non-essential or “discretionary” travel for another month.
The extension on the existing agreement means that the border restrictions will stay in place until July 21.
Patios are OPEN in Westport!!
What’s on Westport has produced this great video of a walking tour of Westport visiting the five businesses who opened their patios this weekend.
Well done Trevor!
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