LATEST COVID CLOSURES IN MUSKOKA AS OF MARCH 14
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com
MUSKOKA — Corona cancellations mounted Saturday along with a number of other new related announcements.
- All Anglican church services Sunday have been cancelled until further notice;
- Province suspends non-essential visitors to all long-term care homes;
- District of Muskoka council meetings are halted;
- District chair John Klinck goes into self-isolation after trip to Panama;
- Gravenhurst cancels March council meeting;
- YMCA in Gravenhurst closed until further notice;
- Gravenhurst Library closed for next three weeks;
- Gravenhurst Rotary cancels weekly Monday meeting for foreseeable future.
See more on each of these below and see earlier related stories at MuskokaTODAY.com:
Long-Term Care Homes:
All non-essential visits to Long Term Care Homes have been suspended by the Chief Medical Officer of Ontario.
At this time, people who are visiting residents who are very ill or requiring end-of-life care are permitted to enter the Pines Long Term Care facility in Bracebridge.
If you are making an essential visit, you will be asked additional questions upon arrival to determine if you can proceed with your visit.
District Council Meetings On Hold:
The District of Muskoka has cancelled all regular council and committee meetings in March.
The district is reaching out to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs to explore alternative meeting formats for council in order to conduct any time sensitive business that arises.
“We made the decision to cancel the meetings to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by practising social distancing and by avoiding events where there are large groups of people,” said chair John Klinck.
The district remains open for normal and routine business.
However, as the new normal, if you are feeling unwell, or anyone you have close contact with is feeling unwell, please refrain from entering municipal facilities or participation in programs.
Staff is still on the job to serve you or assist you over the phone. You can reach the district by phone at (705) 645-2100.
See their dedicated website at: www.muskoka.on.ca/coronavirus.
District Chair Klinck In Self-Isolation:
Additionally, District Chair John Klinck is entering the recommended self-isolation period after returning from a recent international trip.
“I am not experiencing any symptoms at this time, but I will self-isolate for the time recommended by our health officials for anyone who has travelled outside of the country in the last 14 days,” he said.
The chair is just getting back to work after suffering a heart attack two days before Christmas and was on a doctor-recommended leave, said his son, Gravenhurst Councillor Steven Klinck.
Gravenhurst Cancels March Council Meeting:
Saturday, the Town of Gravenhurst said it will cancel all remaining March council and committee meetings.
“We feel this is the most responsible and proactive approach to ensuring the health and safety of the community, staff and council by limiting the amount of social contact we have,” said Mayor Paul Kelly in a release today.
“In the meantime, we will continue to look at alternative options to continuing council business, while staff carry on providing our community with the best possible service.
“I encourage everyone in the community to practise good hand hygiene and be supportive of one another during these interesting times.
Meanwhile, the Town of Gravenhurst has cancelled all March break children’s programming at the Gravenhurst Public Library, Opera House and Centennial Centre.
Additionally, the Gravenhurst Public Library will be closed effective immediately for a minimum of three weeks. All other Town facilities remain open currently for normal business operations, including the Graeme Murray Arena.
The Gravenhurst YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka at the Centennial Centre will be closed at the end of today until further notice. For the most current updates, please visit www.ymcasm.ca/updates.
Anglican Church Services Cancelled:
Rev. Heather Manuel, minister for St. James Gravenhurst, Trinity-All Saints Bala and Holy Manger Barkway, informed parishioners of the cancellation March 14.
“This morning we received direction from the Archbishop to temporarily suspend all worship services. This decision was made after extensive consultation, and in the hope of mirroring similar measures put in place by other civic and religious institutions within our province.
“This extends to all the Anglican Churches in Ontario.”
On Friday the church had said they would suspend sharing of the communion chalice.
Manuel added: “We will also suspend our weekly church activities, including craft group, Hope Chest, pot luck, Lenten Studies, Lenten Retreat, and our midweek services.
“Groups that use our facility for community programming can proceed or suspend at their discretion.
In the meantime, we need to take care of one another and stay connected.
– The office at Gravenhurst will be open 9 a.m.-noon Monday through Friday. The chapel will be open for personal prayer during those mornings.
– If you or anyone you know is in need of support during this time, please call the office and let us know. Perhaps we can help.
– The office will be keeping in touch with prayers and encouragement during this time, so that we can be joined in prayer even though we are apart.
Take care of yourself and check in on your neighbours by phone or email.
Please keep praying for people who are in isolation or who are ill.
Let’s consider this an extended Sabbath in which we get to take time to rest and feed our souls through reading, prayer, music or videos instead of gathering.
Health Unit Says No More New Cases:
The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) says there are no new cases of COVID-19 in the region, after its first case announced March 12.
“We have conducted our investigation into contacts of our case and all COVID-19 testing to date has not revealed any new cases,” said Dr. Charles Gardner, medical officer of health in a release Saturday.
“The individual continues to self-isolate and recover at home.”
He recommends people social distancing — staying at least two metres distance from anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
And to stay at home if you are sick, avoid people who are obviously ill and continue to practise diligent hand washing.
For more information, call Health Connection at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520. Health Connection’s hours are extended today and Sunday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (phone only). For more on how you can protect your health, please see www.smdhu.org.
Province Urges Against Grocery Hoarding:
Also today, Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott and Ernie Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, issued the following statement related to grocery buying habits and COVID-19 in Ontario:
“Ontarians can be confident that our food supply is robust and that our distribution system will continue to operate and remain responsive to the needs of Ontarians. Rest assured, we have plenty of food that will continue to reach grocery stores on a regular basis.
“Our food supply chain is one of the strongest in the world and our government remains committed to ensuring Ontarians can access healthy and nutritious Ontario-produced foods.
Please practice normal grocery buying habits and rest assured that our grocery production and supply chain will continue to provide Ontarians with the food we enjoy each and every day.”
Email Mark Clairmont at [email protected]
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