Provincial and Community Shutdown Restrictions – Update #19

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The PDF version of this notice is available here

  • Date: April 2, 2021
  • From: COVID-19 Task Team and HFN Council
  • Re: Provincial and Community Shutdown Restrictions – Update #19

As you are aware Premier Ford made an announcement that the government is pulling the “emergency brake”, and we will be entering into a 4-week shutdown effective Saturday, April 3, 2021 at 12:01 a.m.

This province wide shutdown is based on recent data with the increased cases of COVID-19. On COVID-19 meetings with First Nations Leadership and the Province it was reported that:

  • ● We are entering Wave 3, and this will be the worst wave so far due to the variants of concern (VoCs)
  • ● COVID cases have been increasing 20 – 30% each week for the last 3 weeks
  • ● Variants account for 60% of all COVID cases and have severe consequences and increased fatalities
  • ● The UK variant is the majority of these cases
  • ● These variants are affecting 29 – 50 year olds with increased hospitalizations and deaths reported
  • ● Variants are now in all 34 PHs
  • ● Testing is being done for 1.1.5 which tests for variants – the testing for specific variants takes up to 3 weeks for results
  • ● Currently there are 430 people in ICU, which is 20% higher from the beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic

With the shutdown announcement and this data information, Hiawatha will remain closed to the public. The current restrictions, along with a few changes based on the new provincial shutdown restrictions, we have in place will remain in effect until further notice.

Closed to Public:

  • ● Boat Launch (Open only to HFN Citizens, Full-time Lessee’s and Permanent Full-time OSM Residents within the HFN Boundaries)
    • ● Playgrounds (Open to HFN Citizens)
    • ● Beach Area (Open to HFN Citizens)
    • ● Open Lakefront Areas (Open to HFN Citizens)
    • ● Ball Diamond (Open to HFN Citizens)
    • ● Tent and Trailer Park (2021 season)

**When using the playground areas please bring disinfectant wipes and ensure to wipe off the equipment after use.

Restrictions:

  • ● 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.
  • ● 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 unorganized gatherings up to 5 people will be allowed, social distancing and mask wearing is required.
  • ● Indoor organized public events and social gatherings are not permitted.

Programming:

  • ● Chiropody (specialized foot care) will continue.
  • ● Massage and Personal Trainers will be cancelled for the month of April.
  • ● Youth Centre will remain open – limit of 7 youth at a time, mask wearing is required and proper health and safety measures are being followed.
  • ● Virtual programming and program supply drop-offs will continue for the month of April.

Administration and Health Office:

  • ● Will remain open by appointment only. Staff will continue to alternate weeks they are in the Office and all health and safety measure will be followed.

Child Care Centre:

  • ● Will remain open with strict health and safety measures in place.
  • ● Families must stay within their households, with the exception of having one other pre-approved household identified for special circumstances.

Hiawatha and Citizen Owned Businesses:

  • ● Will be closed to the general public.
  • ● Hiawatha Citizens (who live on and off), Staff, Residents and OSM Residents who live within the boundaries of Hiawatha will be allowed to access the businesses.
  • ● Regular business hours may remain the same, at this time.

Vaccine Clinics:

  • ● For those who are eligible and want to receive the 1st dose of the COVID-19 vaccine – this clinic will take place on April 23.
  • ● For those who received their 1st vaccine at the Evinrude Centre – the 2nd vaccine clinic will take place on April 23 in Hiawatha. 
  • ● For those who received their 1st vaccine in Hiawatha – the 2nd vaccine clinics will take place on April 24 and 25 in Hiawatha.

More detailed information on these clinics will be provided next week. Please mark these dates in your calendars.

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.

Enforcement:

  • ● Failure to follow these restrictions will result in fines to be issued.

We continue to ask that everyone please remain vigilant in your measures to keep yourselves, your family and our Community safe. The variants are much more transmissible, thus increasing our susceptibility in contracting the COVID-19 virus, and have a higher incidence of severe illness, hospitalization and death.

We understand that everyone is frustrated and ready to go back to some sense of normalcy, and we thank you in advance for your patience, cooperation and support during this 3rd wave of COVID and Provincial and Community shutdown.

Miigwetch to all of you – together we are safer, healthier and stronger – we are HIAWASOME!!

“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.”