COVID-19 Update #21 – Increased Restrictions

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The PDF version of this notice is available here

Date: April 20, 2021

From: COVID-19 Task Team and HFN Council

Re: COVID-19 Update #21 – Increased Restrictions

Aanii Hiawatha Citizens, Residents, and OSM Residents,

In follow up to our previous update (#20, dated April 12) Premier Ford has announced increased restrictions which came into effect on April 17th, 2021. The additional
measures are to try and slow the spread of COVID-19. These measures include:

  • ● Stay-at-Home order is now in place for a minimum of 6 weeks (May 20), instead of the previously announced 4 weeks
  • ● Adding more public health measures and restrictions
  • ● Strengthening enforcement of the province’s Stay-at-Home order, and
  • ● Imposing new travel restrictions.

The above additional measures were introduced as a result of new modelling data that was released by the Ontario Science Table on April 16th that shows an unprecedented increase in COVID-19 cases if additional measures are not implemented.

  • ● 67% growth in hospitalizations and 51% growth in ICU occupancy has taken place over the past 2 weeks, amounting in a cumulative backlog of 248,109
    surgical care cases – increased hospital and ICU occupancy is compromising care for all patients
  • ● COVID-19 cases and variants are increasing rapidly in all Public Health Units
  • ● Daily cases show to increase by 30,000/day by mid-May if additional measures are not taken

A 6-week stay-at-home order, with additional measures, and a vaccination rate of at least 100K doses per day is the only way to flatten the curve at this time.

We also remind you that that a ‘Stay-at-Home Order’ is in place and you MUST NOT socialize outside your family household. Socialize means:

  • ● NO gatherings inside your home
  • ● NO other person inside your home, other than those with whom you live fulltime
  • ● NO gatherings outside your home, except with members of your own household
  • ● NO recreational activities with those outside your own household

The following restrictions remain in place for Hiawatha:

  • ● Closed to visitors/general public
  • ● Do not have anyone in your home except those who reside in the same
    household
  • ● Those who live alone may join only one other household, and no other person can join this household. The person joining a household must be from within the Peterborough Public Health catchment area
  • ● People should stay home to the fullest extent possible, except for essential
    purposes only (ie: health care appointments and medication, grocery shopping, child care, walking pets when required, outdoor physical activity, and work where it is not possible to work from home), or emergency purposes
  • ● Outside organized public events and gatherings are not permitted at this time, except for weddings, funerals, ceremonies, religious services, etc. with approval from the HFN COVID-19 Task Team. The approved gathering are limited to 10 people with physical distancing measures in place, if physical distancing is
    unable to happen mask wearing will be mandatory.
  • ● Indoor organized public events and gatherings are not permitted at this time.
  • ● HFN Child Care Centre will remain closed until April 26
  • ● Administration and Health Offices will remain closed until April 26
  • ● Youth Centre will be closed until further notice

The following public areas will remain closed to visitors/general public:

  • ● Boat Launch
    • ● Parks/Playground (HFN Citizens only and 1 Family at a time. Please ensure to wipe of playground equipment after each use for the next family).
    • ● Beach
    • ● Open lakefront spaces
    • ● Ball Diamond
    • ● Tent and Trailer Park (2021 season)

Enforcement:

  • ● Hiawatha Police and OPP will be monitoring the Community and failure to follow these restrictions will result in fines.

If you notice restrictions not being followed or ifunknown vehicles/person’s come to your property, please call the OPP Line at 1-888-310-1122 to report.

For emergency services call 911.

Programming:

Due to the “Stay-at-Home” Orders in place, program drop-offs and/or pick-ups will not take place until further notice.

ORRS:

ORRS will remain open to be able to provide services so our Citizens do not have to travel to Peterborough, where COVID-19 cases are higher. Please follow all health and safety measures in place.  At this time, only 1 customer will be allowed in at the Gas Till end and in the main part of the Store.

COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols:

  • ● Practice physical distancing of at least two metres (6ft) with those outside your household.
  • ● Wear a face covering when physical distancing is a challenge or where it is mandatory to do so.
  • ● Face coverings should be tightly fitted to cover the nose, mouth, and chin.
  • ● Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly. Use hand sanitizer when soap and water is not available.

If you have any questions or require further information regarding this update please contact Chief Laurie Carr or Administrator, Trisha Shearer at 705-295-4421.

Should you require any health assistance please contact our Community Health Nurse, Lori Webster or our Health Manager, Tina Howard at 705-295-4421.

We ask that everyone to continue to remain vigilant in your measures to keep yourselves, your families and our Community safe. Together we are strongest when we
support and care for each other in a good way, in the way Creator intended for us to do.

“Our Citizens and Community remain our first priority and we will work to mitigate risks for best possible outcomes moving forward through the COVID-19 pandemic.”