Tag Archives: Mayor Robin Jones

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UPDATE FROM ONTARIO GOVERNMENT N.B.- THE LIST OF RESTRICTIONS IS LONG

NEWS RELEASE

Ontario Temporarily Moving to Modified Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen

Time-limited measures needed to preserve hospital capacity as province continues to accelerate booster dose rollout

Overview

In response to recent trends that show a rapid increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations, Ontario is temporarily moving into Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen with modifications that take into account the province’s successful vaccination efforts.

As of January 5, 2022 at 12:01 a.m. the following measures will be in place for at least 21 days (until January 27) subject to trends in public health and our health system.

Please refer to O. Reg. 263/20 Rules for Areas in Step 2 for the complete list of measures and conditions that apply to certain businesses, organizations, places and individuals.

If you have questions about what will be open or impacts to your business or employment before January 5, call the Stop the Spread Business Information Line at 1-888-444-3659.

Gatherings and events

Social gatherings are permitted under the following conditions:

  • indoor gatherings limited to five people or fewer
  • outdoor gatherings limited to 10 people or fewer

Organized public events are permitted under the following conditions:

  • indoor events limited to five people or fewer
  • outdoor events have no limits on number of attendees, but face coverings and/or masks must be worn when distancing (two metres or more) cannot be maintained

Weddings, funerals, religious services, rites and ceremonies are permitted under the following conditions:

  • indoor services are limited to 50 per cent the capacity of the room
  • outdoor services are limited to the number of people who can maintain two metres distance
  • drive-in (motor vehicle) services permitted
  • social gatherings associated with these services must adhere to the social gathering limits

Retirement homes

Retirement homes are exempt from organized public event and social gathering restrictions if the home is in compliance with the policies or guidance, if any, issued by the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority.

Restrictions for businesses

Work from home

Businesses and organizations must make sure that all work is conducted remotely, unless the nature of the work requires workers to be on-site at the workplace.

Retail

All retail must operate under the following conditions:

  • 50 per cent capacity
  • music played is not above a decibel level where normal conversation is possible
  • active screening at photography studios and services
  • safety measures for vehicle test drives sales, such as a maximum of 10 minutes for a test drive, a maximum of two people in a vehicle, including one sales representative, windows must be rolled down, active screening, masking, etc.
  • safety measures for shopping malls, including capacity limits, no loitering, distancing in line ups, food courts closed and active screening.

Camps

Day and overnight camps are closed.

Meeting and events spaces, and food and drink establishments

Restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments, including those with dance floors (such as nightclubs) and strip clubs must operate under the following conditions:

  • indoor service closed
  • take out, drive through and delivery allowed
  • outdoor areas open with restrictions including, but not limited to:
    • no more than 10 people per table
    • patrons must remain seated
    • no dancing or singing
    • active screening
    • limited hours for the sale, service and consumption of liquor

Meeting and event spaces, including conference centres and convention centres must operate under the following conditions:

  • indoor areas closed with exceptions, such as child care, court and government services, social services, health services, collective bargaining and mental health/addiction services up to 10 people, in-person exams for limited fields/occupations up to 50 people
  • outdoor areas open with restrictions including, but not limited to:
    • no more than 10 people per table
    • patrons must remain seated
    • no dancing or singing
    • active screening
    • limited hours for the sale, service and consumption of liquor

Sports and recreational fitness activities

Indoor areas of facilities used for sports and recreational fitness activities, including gyms, sporting events and personal training must operate under the following conditions:

  • indoor closed with limited exceptions and conditions (such as athletes training for Olympics and Paralympics, select professional and elite amateur sport leagues who will operate via an approved framework from the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health and persons with disabilities for physical therapy)
  • outdoor open with spectators limited to 50 per cent capacity and other restrictions
  • proof of vaccination required for facilities with a usual capacity of 20,000 or more people

Recreational amenities

Recreational amenities must operate under the following conditions:

  • indoor recreational amenities closed
  • outdoor recreational amenities open

Entertainment

Concert venues, theatres, cinemas, museums, galleries, zoos, science centres , landmarks, historic sites, botanical gardens and similar attractions, amusement parks, waterparks, tour and guide services including boat tours, fairs, rural exhibitions and festivals must operate under the following conditions:

  • outdoor open with restrictions (such as masking on rides)
  • spectators at seated events at 50 per cent capacity
  • outdoor tours and boat tours at 50 per cent capacity
  • drive-in and drive through events permitted with restrictions, such as distancing between cars, only permitted to leave a vehicle in limited circumstances, etc.
  • indoor areas of concert venues, theatres and cinemas closed except for rehearsing or performing a recorded or broadcasted performance, artistic event or performance, with restrictions

Commercial film and television production

  • studio audiences not permitted
    • Restrictions, including performers must be distanced unless necessary

Casinos and racing venues

Casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments will be closed.

Horse and car racing tracks and similar venues must operate under the following conditions:

  • indoor areas closed
  • outdoor areas open with restrictions, including mandatory reservations, spectators limited to 50 per cent of usual seating capacity and others
  • proof of vaccination required for facilities with a usual capacity of 20,000 or more people.

Personal care services

Saunas, steam rooms and oxygen bars will be closed.

Personal care services such as barbers, hair salons, tattoo parlours must operate under the following conditions:

  • 50 per cent capacity
  • no services where face coverings need to be removed
  • by appointment only
  • active screening
  • music played is not above a decibel level where normal conversation is possible

Short-term accommodation

Hotels, motels and similar establishments must operate under the following conditions:

  • open except for any area required to be closed, such as indoor gyms, pools, steam rooms/saunas
  • restaurants within the hotel or motel may offer takeout or delivery only

Short-term rentals must operate under the following conditions:

  • only open to those in need of housing (does not apply to hotels, motels, lodges, resorts and other shared rental accommodation, including student residences.)
  • ice fishing huts permitted with restrictions

Other service providers

Liquor sales and service are permitted under the following conditions:

  • sale of alcohol must end at 10 p.m. and no consumption of alcohol on-premise in businesses or settings after 11 p.m., with the exception of delivery and takeout services, grocery and convenience stores and other liquor retail stores

Real estate agencies must operate under the following conditions:

  • property viewings by appointment only
  • no open houses

Businesses that provide in-person teaching or instruction (such as cooking classes, music classes) must operate under the following conditions:

  • indoor areas closed, except for organizations that provide health and safety training (with conditions)
  • outdoor areas open with restrictions in place, such as physical distancing

Driving instruction must be conducted under the following conditions:

  • limited to in-person instruction for drivers of commercial motor vehicles only.

Libraries and community centres must operate under the following conditions:

  • open with 50 per cent capacity, with limited exceptions, such as child care, social services

Bathhouses and sex clubs will be closed.

Contact us

If you have questions about what will be open or impacts to your business or employment, call the Stop the Spread Business Information Line at 1-888-444-3659.

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MAYOR’S NEW YEAR’S MESSAGE 2022 

I feel very privileged to be your Mayor and remain grateful to the people of Westport for your warmth and friendly support.

I have witnessed first-hand the incredible work people are doing day-in, day-out to support our Village, and this has never been more important than with the OMICRON outbreak.  Thank you for your countless community volunteer initiatives and for spreading goodwill throughout our Village with open and generous hearts.  We have so many things to be grateful for, including our family, friends, and neighbours.  Considering what we have been through the past two years, you continue to keep the safety blanket around Westport. 

The Leeds, Grenville & Lanark Health Unit continues to be a leader in the province for its vaccination rate.  Thank you to everyone who has been vaccinated.  Please get the booster as soon as possible. Our local businesses have been on the front line since March 2020.  We take our hats off to you all and I urge Westport residents to SHOP LOCAL and support our local businesses.

It is traditional at this time of year to review the past year and look forward to the New Year, which I do with some confidence.  In 2021, Bedford St, which had been referenced as the worst road in Leeds & Grenville, was refurbished.  New sidewalks, the road levelled out and no more pot holes.  Thank you to the provincial government who covered 93% of the cost of work.  

We hosted two vaccination clinics at the WTC Communications Centre and it took many volunteers to provide a safe and efficient venue.  Front line staff put needles into 850 arms.  Well done!

After October’s by-election, we welcomed Mrs Ami Carty to council.  Councillor Carty and her husband Ryan have two daughters, she is a life-long resident of the Village, a teacher and community volunteer. Councillor Carty dug in on day one and her focus on council matters is recognized by her colleagues.  

Council continues its 2022 budget discussions against a 4.5% inflation rate over the past 12 months and a zero % property tax increase in 2021.  Next budget meeting is Tuesday, January 11 at 6:00.  It is live streamed on the Village of Westport Youtube Channel and I encourage you to watch.

Our Westport branding exercise continues in January when the committee meets to consider the slogan.  Over 80 suggestions were submitted by community members – so stay tuned.  It too will be live streamed.

With thanks to grants from the provincial government covering 75% of the work, there will be some technical upgrades at both the water plant on Concession St and the waste water pumping station at Glen St.  

We received positive news last week that the bequeathment for the new Serenity Garden, located beside the fire hall, should arrive this winter and building and planting can begin in the spring.  It will be a peaceful place to sit while surrounded by flowers and plants.

Watercolours of Westport has reached its first year goal – to have 10 new families in residence.  Congratulations to Mr Steve Roulston.  Building this part of our community provides jobs for many local people and we continue to be thankful for these opportunities.

There is a change of command at Town Hall this winter.  Our CAO, Mr Paul Snider, is retiring mid February. He has provided strong leadership these past five years.  As most of you know, Paul was raised in Westport and he always has a secret smile when he admits how pleased he has been to return to his hometown to finish his career.  Best wishes Paul and Heather.  The new CAO, Ms Kimberly Westgate, begins in late January.  She brings many years of municipal experience with her, currently serving as the Clerk for The Township of Leeds and 1000 Islands.  Please extend a warm Westport welcome to Kimberly.

This year has shown us that the world can change overnight. We can only rely on a few things: our faith, our community, our family and our courage.  In 2022, we will continue to stand side by side supporting each other.  Remember to be kind to others and to yourself..

My warmest wishes to you and your loved ones for a Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy, and successful New Year.

Mayor Robin Jones

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An evening of peace in the Village

Vicki Garrett described a feeling of peace when she saw the luminaries years ago. And that is exactly what I felt tonight walking around the Village. Peace.

The BEST we do as a Village happens when someone has a dream and we work together to make it a reality. And tonight by supporting Vicki’s dream, we found our own joy and peace.

Thank you everyone who made this night special. May you have more peace over the Christmas season.

Special mention to Laura Deeves who captured the luminaries, Christmas lights and the full moon in her photo – the full deal.

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Ontario Further Strengthening Response to Omicron

Additional measures to slow the spread as province accelerates booster dose rollout

TORONTO — In response to the rapidly-spreading and highly transmissible Omicron variant, the Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, is applying additional public health and workplace safety measures, including capacity and social gathering limits. These measures will help curb transmission and continue to safeguard Ontario’s hospital and ICU capacity as the province continues to rapidly accelerate its booster dose rollout.

“Throughout this entire pandemic, we’ve never faced an enemy like Omicron given how quickly it spreads,” said Premier Doug Ford. “We need to do everything we can to slow its spread as we continue to dramatically ramp up capacity to get as many booster shots into arms as possible. Doing so is the best way to safeguard our hospital and intensive care units.”

The latest modelling suggests that the increased transmissibility of the Omicron variant could put additional strain on Ontario’s hospital capacity, making it critical to slow the spread as the government dramatically increases vaccine capacity and expands eligibility for booster doses. The province recently doubled its vaccination capacity and continues to ramp up further to get as many vaccines into arms as possible. Over 156,000 doses were administered on December 16, 2021 with capacity increased to 200,000 to 300,000 in the coming days.

To further strengthen its response to Omicron and reduce opportunities for close contact as the province gets as many vaccines into arms as possible, Ontario is introducing a 50 per cent capacity limit in the following indoor public settings:

  • Restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments and strip clubs;
  • Personal care services;
  • Personal physical fitness trainers;
  • Retailers (including grocery stores and pharmacies);
  • Shopping malls;
  • Non-spectator areas of facilities used for sports and recreational fitness activities (e.g. gyms);
  • Indoor recreational amenities;
  • Indoor clubhouses at outdoor recreational amenities;
  • Tour and guide services; and
  • Photography studios and services; and
  • Marinas and boating clubs.

These limits do not apply to any portion of a business or place that is being used for a wedding, a funeral or a religious service, rite, or ceremony. Businesses or facilities will also need to post a sign stating the capacity limits that are permitted in the establishment.

To further reduce the spread of COVID-19 and the Omicron variant, additional protective measures are also being applied:

  • The number of patrons permitted to sit at a table will be limited to 10 people and patrons will be required to remain seated in restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments, meeting and event spaces and strip clubs.
  • Bars and restaurants, meeting and event spaces and strip clubs will be required to close by 11 p.m. Take out and delivery will be permitted beyond 11 p.m.
  • Dancing will not be allowed except for workers or performers.
  • Food and/or drink services will be prohibited at sporting events; concert venues, theatres and cinemas; casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments; and horse racing tracks, car racing tracks and other similar venues.
  • The sale of alcohol will be restricted after 10 p.m. and consumption of alcohol in businesses or settings after 11 p.m.

In addition, to mitigate COVID-19 transmission that can occur at informal social gatherings, the province is also reducing social gathering limits to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors.

These restrictions will come into effect on 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, December 19, 2021.

“This was not an easy decision to make before the holidays, but the evidence is clear that further public health measures are required to slow the spread of Omicron and prevent our hospitals from being overwhelmed,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “As we expand booster eligibility and continue our Team Ontario effort to get as many shots into arms as possible, I am urging every single person to get their vaccine if they haven’t already done so, and sign up for their booster shot as soon as they’re able.”

In addition, in response to emerging global evidence of substantial increased transmissibility of the Omicron variant, the Chief Medical Officer of Health is updating the personal protective equipment requirements outlined in Directive 5 to provide interim guidance to require N95s for health care workers providing direct care to or interacting with a suspected, probable or confirmed case of COVID.

“As the rapidly spreading Omicron variant becomes the dominant strain of COVID-19 in Ontario, it is necessary to apply additional public health and workplace safety measures to reduce transmission, protect our health system and save lives,” said Dr. Kieran Moore, Chief Medical Officer of Health. “We all have a role to play in keeping ourselves, friends, families, neighbours and communities safe this holiday season. Please follow all public measures and get vaccinated with your first, second or booster dose if you have not done so already. Omicron will not take a holiday.”

The government and the Chief Medical Officer of Health will continue to monitor trends in key public health and health care indicators, including emerging data on the Omicron variant and will continue to take swift action to ensure the health and safety of Ontarians.