NEWS RELEASE
SIMCOE COUNTY
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MIDHURST – As the number of COVID-related cases in our region increases, the County of Simcoe is reaching out to residents to reinforce the importance of following physical distancing measures and general public health guidelines.
Federal, provincial and local public health officials are all encouraging the public to stay home and limit non-essential travel, self-isolate where necessary, and follow health protocols such as coughing into your elbow and handwashing often to limit the spread of COVID-19. By taking simple steps including shopping once a week, avoiding social gatherings, working from home and staying in your primary residence, we will flatten the curve and speed up our recovery.
As an additional precaution, Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is advising that wearing a non-medical mask is an additional measure you can take to protect others around you.
The county continues to offer essential services and has a number of resources available to help residents and families at home. Tourism Simcoe County and the county’s Economic Development Office recently launched a new online directory to highlight local businesses in Simcoe County that are providing services and goods to residents while following provincial guidelines and physical distancing measures.
Call-in, delivery, take-out and curbside pick-up are all options that limit contact between people but allow residents to continue to invest in our local economy and access essential goods and services.
Residents are asked to fully respect the bylaws passed by various municipalities to help keep our communities and residents safe. Our bylaw and law enforcement officials are doing all they can to help you, and we ask for your cooperation with them as they are enforcing restrictions and doing their job to help keep us safe and limit the stress of capacity challenges on our health care system.
Our region is a destination for many cottagers and seasonal residents during normal times, and a reminder that the county joined many of our municipalities in requesting that all individuals stay in their primary residence during this difficult time.
Ontario is in a critical period where all citizens must heed public health warnings in order to reduce the impending impact on the healthcare system: the faster we can limit community transmission to a minimum, the faster we can flatten the curve, protect residents’ social and physical well-being, and start the process of recovery.
“These are uncertain times and we appreciate everything that our residents and businesses are doing to help our communities get through the pandemic together,” said Warden George Cornell.
“While these health precautions are changing our day-to-day activities, it is essential that we continue to follow the guidelines set out by our health experts. We need to stay home, in our primary residence. We need to follow public health protocols," said Cornell. "And we need to stand together. Our recovery depends on our collective efforts.”
Given the guidelines on practising physical distancing, the public are asked to respect public health guidelines with County staff who continue to provide essential services and programs, including our valued contractors, such as waste collectors and LINX transit operators. Our staff greatly appreciate the gestures of kindness and appreciation being demonstrated from a distance.
Community supports and donations
211 is a tremendous resource for information and services, including grocery delivery. 211 can be contacted at 211ontario.ca or by dialling 211.
A reminder that local food banks are in need of donations and are requesting increased support during the pandemic.
Municipal and health partners in Simcoe and Muskoka, including the County of Simcoe, the District of Muskoka, and the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, are working together to launch a donation campaign for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and critical supplies that are essential for the provision of safe medical and community care to patients and residents in our region. Any businesses or community members looking to donate items can email [email protected]. Information about how and where to send donations is available at smdhu.org/donations.
Information about county service updates are available at www.simcoe.ca/covid19.
County of Simcoe is composed of sixteen member municipalities and provides crucial public services to County residents in addition to providing paramedic and social services to the separated cities of Barrie and Orillia. Visit our website at simcoe.ca
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