City announces more COVID-19 relief measures

NEWS RELEASE
CITY OF ORILLIA
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The City of Orillia continues to review services and implement measures to further assist Orillia citizens, businesses and community organizations affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
The following measures have been put in place to further assist the community:

• All pre-purchased April Orillia Transit passes and April municipal parking permits will be honoured through to the end of May 2020.
• Suspension of all water shut-offs due to non-payment of water bills until the end of June 2020.
• Waiving Non-Sufficient Funds (NSF) charges for any pre-authorized payment plan until the end of June 2020 (you may still incur charges by your bank).

“We want to make sure that Orillians are putting the health and safety of their families and the community first and foremost as we work together to flatten the curve of the COVID-19 virus. As a City, we are continually looking at measures we can put in place to help ease the financial burden many people and businesses are experiencing during these challenging times. We are all in this together and we will get through it together,” said Mayor Steve Clarke.
 
For updates on community assistance measures and other important City of Orillia COVID-19 information, visit orillia.ca/COVID-19.
 
Community assistance measures already put in place by the City of Orillia include:

• Established an emergency fund of $100,000 to be distributed to critical lead service providers on an as-needed basis.
• Waived Orillia Transit fees until April 30, 2020.
• Waived tax penalty through to June 30, 2020 for both residential and businesses.
• Waived water and sewer penalty through to June 30, 2020 for both residential and businesses.
• Waived parking fees through to April 30, 2020.
• Deferred implementation of the Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) from April 6, 2020 to Sept. 1, 2020.
• Deferred the second annual intake of the Downtown Tomorrow Community Improvement Plan (DTCIP) from the last day of April to the last day of June 2020.
• Allowing one bag of untagged garbage to be set out per household until April 24, 2020.
• Launched #OrilliaCares campaign to share community acts of kindness

 Remember, everyone in Orillia must practice social/physical distancing and good hygienic practices at all times. You must do the following:

• Practice social/physical distancing of at least two metres (six feet)
• Frequently wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Cough or sneeze into your arm
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
• Avoid contact with people who are sick
• Stay home if you are sick
• If you have any symptoms, self-monitor and self-isolate and contact a healthcare professional if symptoms persist
• If you have travelled recently, ensure you self-isolate for 14 days
• If you have, or suspect you have COVID-19, complete a self-assessment, contact your local healthcare provider or visit a local assessment centre. Do not visit your local doctor or emergency room.

For more information visit: orillia.ca/COVID-19.
 
For more information on the COVID-19 Assessment Centre in Orillia visit: osmh.on.ca/covid-19/
 
For COVID-19 updates from the SMDHU visit: http://www.simcoemuskokahealth.org/Promos/Novel-Coronavirus

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