Tag Archives: Westport

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Dr. Kieran Moore, Provincial MOH, provides advice on celebrating Thanksgiving, Hallowe’en and Remembrance Day.

Dr. Kieran Moore says celebrating Thanksgiving indoors and unmasked with a fully vaccinated group is “absolutely appropriate”. However, it is important to continue following good public health practices.

If you choose to host an in-person gathering:

  • do not exceed the gathering limit of 25 people indoors and 100 people outdoors
  • have the fewest number of people possible at your gathering
  • use outdoor spaces whenever possible
  • provide all the necessary supplies, including hand sanitizer, soap and water
  • open windows, if possible
  • clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces
  • ask guests not to attend if they have symptoms, even if they are mild
  • make a list of guests attending in case your local public health unit needs it for contact tracing
  • remind people of public health advice to follow during the event
  • wash your hands before and frequently when preparing and serving food
  • have everyone wash their hands before and after eating

If you choose to attend an in-person gathering:

  • you should not attend if you have any symptoms, even if they are mild
  • wash your hands or use hand sanitizer regularly throughout the event
  • consider participating virtually or not attending the event if you are immunocompromised or at higher risk of severe disease or exposure to COVID-19covid 19

When to wear face coverings

Regardless of where you are, you can wear a face covering and physically distance if you feel it is right for you, especially if you or others are immunocompromised or at high-risk of severe disease or exposure to COVID-19covid 19. 

Indoors

When gathering indoors:

  • with a group of fully vaccinated individuals, you may consider removing your face covering if everyone is comfortable
  • with people from multiple households who are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated or status is unknown, you should wear a face covering and physically distance

Outdoors

When gathering outdoors:

  • with a group of fully vaccinated individuals, no face covering or physical distancing is necessary
  • with people from multiple households who are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated or vaccination status is unknown, you should consider wearing a face covering if physical distancing cannot be maintained

Celebrating Hallowe’en

If you trick-or-treat door-to-door:

  • stay home if you have symptoms, even if they are mild
  • trick-or-treat outdoors as much as possible
  • be creative and build the face covering into your costume. Remember that a costume mask is not a substitute for a face covering. A costume mask should not be worn over a non-medical mask or face covering because it can be dangerous if the costume mask makes it hard to breathe.
  • do not crowd doorsteps – take turns one at a time
  • do not sing or shout for your treats
  • keep interactions brief with those giving out treats
  • use hand sanitizer often, especially before and after handling your face covering, after touching frequently touched surfaces, when you arrive home from trick-or-treating, and before and after handling or eating treats
  • there is no need to clean or disinfect pre-packaged treats

If trick-or-treating indoors, maintain physical distancing as much as possible and wear a face covering, especially when physical distancing is a challenge.

If you choose to give out treats:

  • do not participate in Halloween festivities if you have symptoms, even if they are mild
  • keep interactions with trick-or-treaters short and encourage them to move along after receiving their treat from you
  • consider wearing a face covering when physical distancing cannot be maintained
  • consider including the face covering as part of your costume if you are dressing up
  • give out only purchased and packaged treats
  • do not ask trick-or-treaters to sing or shout for their treats
  • clean your hands often throughout the evening using soap and water or with hand sanitizer

Recognizing Remembrance Day

If attending a Remembrance Day memorial event:

  • stay home if you have symptoms, even if they are mild
  • wear a face covering indoors and wear one outdoors if physical distancing cannot be maintained or is required
  • wash your hands or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer frequently
  • consider participating virtually or not attending the event if you are immunocompromised or at higher risk of severe disease and/or exposure to COVID-19covid 19

If you chose to sell poppies in-person:

  • wear a face covering
  • have hand sanitizer and use it regularly
  • consider not selling if you are immunocompromised or at higher risk of severe disease and/or exposure to COVID-19
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Grant to Modernize the Westport Pumping Station on Glen St.

The Governments of Canada and Ontario have provided 75% of the cost to modernize the pumping station. The work should reduce the frequency of unplanned shut downs due to force main failures and power loss. It is important to recognize that the support from both orders of governments continues to improve our Village infrastructure.

The total cost of the work is $418,750. Village contribution will be funded through annual OCIF grants.

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UPDATE ON WASTE WATER SYSTEM

All components of the Village waste water system are operating properly and no mechanical issues or breakdowns have or are occurring. In fact, the system just passed rigorous testing that confirms it is operating to standard.  The testing that occurred over the past couple of weeks has resulted in the lagoons aerobic layer allowing some odour through from the anaerobic layer.  Staff advised today that they expect conditions to improve shortly.

If you have questions about the waste water system or other Village matters, you can email info@villageofwestport.ca,  or Mr Peter Evans the Village’s Manager of Public Works pevans@villageofwestport.ca or please feel comfortable knocking on my door.

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“CANADA COULD SEE ABOVE 15,000 DAILY COVID-19 CASES NEXT MONTH AT CURRENT RATE OF TRANSMISSION: DR. THERESA TAM”.

This headline and article were in the Globe and Mail on Friday. .

In Westport, we have worked together since March 2020. We committed to flattening the curve, we thanked local sewers in the early days for making and distributing masks, church bells rang to recognize the courage and commitment of front line workers, and we have been successful in keeping the safety blanket around the Village. 

Just as Dr Tam’s article, just as the Province’s web site and just as Dr Paula Stewart, our Medical Officer of Health, report – we are in the fourth wave of COVID and we do not want another lockdown. Some of the restrictions have been relaxed by the provincial government in Stage 3 with the expectation that we continue to follow the basic rules. People are required to wear a mask Inside businesses and public places, with few exceptions. It is the law. But more, it is the simplest way everyone and anyone can be part of the solution to control the spread of the virus.

This week, I have received concerns about several people not being masked while inside businesses – employees and customers alike. I have no special authority as Mayor. The OPP or Board of Health could be called to investigate, but is that really what we want these public servants to spend their time doing?

I am asking everyone to do their part. The vaccine is not 100% effective against the Delta Variant. We have a vulnerable population. We need to continue to work as a team, the Westport team to control the spread. Please do your part. Wear a mask when inside businesses or public spaces and outside as required.

Thank you. If you have any questions or comments, please call me at 9195.