COVID-19 Update #23 – Stage 1 Community Re-Opening

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The PDF version of this notice is available here

  • Date: June 9, 2021
  • From: COVID-19 Task Team and HFN Council
  • Re: COVID-19 Update #23 – Stage 1 Community Re-Opening

Aanii Hiawatha Citizens, Residents, and OSM Residents,

The Ontario Government announced it will move into their Step 1 Re-opening Plan on Friday, June 11, 2021.  The following Ontario Step 1 plan includes, but is not limited to: 

  • ● Outdoor gatherings up to 10 people 
  • ● Outdoor dining up to 4 people per table 
  • ● Outdoor fitness classes, personal training and sports training up to 10 patrons. No games, team sports or practices permitted 
  • ● Essential retail at 25% capacity and discount and big box stores can sell all goods 
  • ● Non-essential retail at 15% capacity and can sell all goods 
  • ● Retail stores in malls closed unless the stores have a street facing entrance 
  • ● Indoor religious services, rites and ceremonies including weddings and funerals at 15% capacity of the room 
  • ● Outdoors religious services, rites and ceremonies including weddings and funerals are permitted with capacity limited to permit physical distancing of 2 metres 
  • ● Horse racing, motor speedways without spectators 
  • ● Outdoor pools and wading pools with capacity limited to permit physical distancing of 2 metres 
  • ● Outdoor zoos, landmarks, historic sites, and botanical gardens with capacity limited to 15% for ticketed areas 
  • ● Day camps 
  • ● Campsites, campgrounds and short-term rentals 
  • ● Overnight camping at Ontario Parks 

As we, and the rest of the province begin to slowly open this does not mean personal precautions should not be taken. We must remain vigilant and keep those safe who are vulnerable due to potential COVID-19 complications safe.

Even though vaccinations are well under way, we need to protect our Community by having strict health and safety measures in place, as our children are not yet vaccinated, nor some of our Citizens. 

Along with Ontario’s Guidelines that are in place under their Step 1 Re-Opening Plan, Hiawatha also has the following Guidelines in place.

ORRS Restaurant (Opening June 11 for Outside Dining):

  • ● Will be open for outside dining. The health and safety measures laid out in their business safety plan will be in force and strictly followed. Current guidelines include, but not limited to:
  • ● Only 4 people to a table unless they are all from the same household; or a single person who has joined that household
  • ● No inside dining

Camp Cherokee (Opening June 11 for Guests):

  • ● Will be open to guests. The health and safety measures laid out in their business safety plan will be in force and strictly followed. Current guidelines include, but not limited to:
  • ● Guests will be allowed to access the boat launch and ORRS Store and Restaurant
  • ● Guests will not be permitted to use other public areas (all other areas are remaining closed to the public)

Administration and Health Offices and Youth Centre:

  • ● Re-opened on June 7, 2021, appointments will need to be booked if you need to meet with Administration and/or Health Staff.
  • ● Will continue to strictly follow the safety measures laid out in the organization’s safety plans.

HFN Offices, ORRS and the Business Owners do have a COVID-19 health and safety plan in place and these measures will be strictly followed. Those who access the

businesses must comply with the health and safety measures in place or they will not be served and asked to leave.

Remaining Closed To Visitors/General Public:

  • ● Boat Launch (Now open to Camp Cherokee Guests and Seasonal Leesees)
    • ● Parks/Playground (HFN Citizens only and up to 10 people total at a time). Please ensure to wipe of playground equipment after each use.
    • ● Beach (HFN Citizens only)
    • ● Open lakefront spaces
    • ● Ball Diamond (HFN Citizens only)
    • ● Tent and Trailer Park (2021 season)
    • ● Serpent Mounds (HFN Citizens only)

Enforcement:

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

If you notice restrictions not being followed or if unknown 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:

Programming through the month of June will continue as drop-offs and/or pick-ups of supplies.

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 or Health Manager, Tina Howard at 705-295-4421.

“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.”