NEWS RELEASE
THE CITY OF ORILLIA
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In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Orillia is extending the timeframe of certain community assistance measures and is restricting local events and public gatherings from taking place until July 5, 2020.
“As a city, we want to give local event organizers as much notice as possible to either postpone or cancel their upcoming events. We know how much planning, dollars and volunteer time is required to execute the events we know and love. At this time, we do not see a COVID-19 climate that would allow for public gatherings to happen in the coming months,” said Mayor Steve Clarke.
“It is our understanding today that when provincial restrictions do start being lifted they will be done so in a cautious and staged manner. As with anything related to COVID-19, information continues to change quickly and we will continue to respond accordingly.”
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the City of Orillia has also extended some of the community assistance measures put in place.
The following decisions were made by the Emergency Management Committee on April 20, 2020:
- All local events and public gatherings must be postponed or cancelled until July 5, 2020.
- All city facility bookings and permits, both indoor and outdoor, have been cancelled until July 5, 2020. This includes athletic fields and ball diamonds.
- One bag of untagged garbage can be set out per household until May 31, 2020.
- Orillia Transit fees are waived until May 31, 2020.
- Municipal parking fees are waived until May 31, 2020.
The city continues to evaluate further community assistance measures it can put in place as a municipality in response to COVID-19. A further report is anticipated to be presented to Council on May 4, 2020. Currently the following community assistance measures are in place: ·
- An emergency fund of $100 000 to be distributed to critical lead service providers on an as-needed basis.
- Waived property 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.
- Deferred implementation of the Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) to Sept. 1, 2020.
- Deferred the second annual intake of the Downtown Tomorrow Community Improvement Plan (DTCIP) to the last day of June 2020.
The City of Orillia will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation closely and will revise the restrictions and timelines as appropriate.
“The city continues to look for meaningful ways it can respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and assist our community through these challenging times. Council looks forward to deliberating on recommendations slated to come forward in the coming weeks from our Economic Recovery Task Force and our Senior Leadership Team,” said Mayor Clarke.
As of March 24, for a 45-day period, the government suspended time-of-use (TOU) electricity rates, holding electricity prices to the off-peak rate of 10.1 cents-per-kilowatt-hour, 24 hours per day, seven days a week. By switching to a fixed off-peak rate, all TOU customers will see rate reductions of over 50 per cent compared to the current on-peak rate.
The Orillia Power Distribution Corporation is also deferring electricity disconnections and interest payments until July 31, 2020.
Remember, all residents must continue to do the following:
- Practice physical distancing of at least two metres (six feet)
- 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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