Tag Archives: Mayor Robin Jones

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GIFT OF LIGHT – DECEMBER 12 – JANUARY 2

Thank you block captains. You have been very successful encouraging your neighbours to add a light, or two, or many to their outside Christmas decorating this year. The block captains are: Joyce Acton, Joan Barrett, Mary Anne Bishop, Kim Bonner, Jacky Brady, Barry Card, Judy Fielding, Robin Jones, Ami Merkley and family, Rob Roberts, Paul Thorp and Tara and John (Dancing Moon). Please give them a “tip of the hat” when you see them. I also want to give a shout out to the decorating teams at Olivet Baptist Church, Westport Free Methodist Church, St Edward’s Catholic Church, Knox Presbyterian Church and St Paul’s Anglican Church.

With the recent increase of the virus in the village and area and many people self isolating, more than ever we need to support each other. The GIFT of LIGHT creates a rainbow of colour on every street – and we know that the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow is our own Westport.

I am going to post a daily photo of some of our GIFTS of LIGHT. If you have a favourite, pls send it to me at rjones@villageofwestport.ca and I will post.

Today’s post to kick off the GIFT of LIGHT is from the Mayor, Council and Staff at Town Hall. Merry Christmas.

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Leeds, Grenville and Lanark Region Moved to Yellow – Protect Level

MEDIA RELEASE – Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit

December 11, 2020

Today the government of Ontario announced that the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark region will move from the Green–Prevent level to the Yellow – Protect level of the Keeping Ontario Safe and Open COVID-19 Framework. The sharp rise in COVID-19 cases in LGL over the past two weeks means that the region meets the criteria for the Yellow – Protect level, with a weekly incidence rate between 10 and 24.9 cases per 100,000.

The move to the Yellow – Protect level means that strengthened public health measures will come into effect in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark on Monday, December 14, at 12:01 a.m. The additional measures include limited hours of operations for certain settings, limits on the hours for sale food and beverage establishments, limits on the number of individuals permitted in certain settings, and formalized Workplace Safety Plans for many businesses and organizations. Full details of the limitations and restrictions for the Yellow – Protect Level can be found on the Health Unit’s website: https://healthunit.org/health-information/covid-19/business-re-opening/framework/ .

Businesses in the affected sectors will be contacted directly; restaurants, fitness facilities and retail outlets are encouraged to check their email for important information from the Health Unit and contact protection@healthunit.org if they have questions.

“The move from Green-Prevent to the Yellow – Protect level in our region over the past two weeks highlights how quickly COVID-19 can spread when precautions aren’t in place,” comments Dr. Paula Stewart, Medical Officer of Health for the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit. “Our staff are working diligently to follow-up and isolate all people with COVID-19 and their high risk contacts to prevent transmission in our community.  We are relying on the residents, businesses, services and workplaces in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark to follow precautions to limit the spread of COVID-19 in their settings. It is in our hands to protect our communities, and prevent further restrictions at levels beyond yellow.”

Staying home and apart as much as we can is the most important thing we can do. Being safe and protecting yourself means you are protecting your family, friends and co-workers.

S – Self-isolate if you have symptoms of COVID-19. Consider getting tested

M – Mask/face covering on properly when in enclosed public spaces and when physical distancing is a challenge outdoors.

A – Avoid touching your face.

R – Remain 2 metres/6 feet apart from people not part of your household – avoid play dates, and other close social contact. Social circles beyond the household are no long encouraged.

T – Twenty (20) seconds for regular hand hygiene. Cover your coughs and sneezes.

The Keeping Ontario Safe and Open COVID-19 Framework categorizes public health unit regions into five levels: Green-Prevent, Yellow-Protect, Orange-Restrict, Red-Control, and Lockdown being a measure of last and urgent resort.

For more information about COVID-19, visit: https://healthunit.org/health-information/covid-19/business-re-opening/framework/  or call 1-800-660-5853.

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Upper Canada District School Board

MEDIA RELEASE
Confirmed Case of COVID-19 at Rideau Vista Public School
Parents/guardians and staff at Rideau Vista Public School received notification today that an individual at the school has tested positive for COVID-19.   

Working closely with the school, the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit completed its assessment today and determined that there was no-risk exposure at the school.

The school remains open and operating on the regular daily schedule.  
 
The health unit encourages parents/guardians to continue to use the COVID-19 School Screening Tool prior to each school day, as well as regular public health recommendations to reduce the spread of COVID-19.  


The health unit and the school board do not release details about a COVID-19 case in a school directly to the public. You can find more information about COVID-19 cases in our schools on our COVID-19 Advisory Information page, or on the Government of Ontario website. 
 
Schools report confirmed COVID-19 cases to the provincial government and it is tracked on the provincial website. It can take up to 24 to 48 hours for the information to be posted, based on the timing of reporting. 
  


Media inquiries can be directed to:  
 
April Scott-Clarke  
Manager of Communications  
Upper Canada District School Board  
communications@ucdsb.on.ca

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COVID vaccines ON THEIR WAY IN ONTARIO

Thanks to MPP Steve Clark for arranging a briefing with the Premier and Retired General Hillier today. The 444 Ontario Mayors learned that the roll out of vaccines in Ontario will begin shortly. It is all good news!.

General Hillier explained that the province will be supplied by Pfizer and Moderna. Both vaccines require two shots, 21 days apart. Distribution will be phased in with the most vulnerable in Phase #1. The general population should receive vaccinations beginning in (approximately) April and continue for 6-9 months.

There will be more information made available to you in the next few weeks from the Ministry of Health. Until then, there is a plan and it will roll out in 2021.

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MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS CLOSED UNTIL DECEMBER 21, 2020

The Community Emergency Control Group met this afternoon to discuss the COVID-19 outbreak in Westport. The meeting included a briefing from Dr Paula Stewart, Medical Officer of Health for Leeds, Grenville & Lanark Health Unit.

This outbreak of COVID-19 requires measures to contain community spread and mitigate its impact on the community.  One of the strategies is to reduce opportunities for people to gather.  With this in mind, the CECG recommended that all municipal buildings in the Village be closed until December 21, 2020. I have issued an Emergency Order to that effect. The municipal buildings closed are Town Hall, library and community centre/arena.

Individuals also have an important job in containing the virus. Everyone needs to follow the basic public health measures including, continue to stay home when possible and wear a mask/face covering when out in public, practise physical distancing of 2 metres and wash your hands frequently.

Westport is a community of people related by kin and friendship who have worked together in the past to achieve our goals. There is no doubt that our common goal is clear – control the spread of the virus. We are stronger together – each of us performing our role to the best of our ability.  This is a point in time when we need to believe in our strengths, support each other and remember to be kind.