COVID-19 MEDIA RELEASE

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE MEDIA RELEASE DATED MARCH 17, 2020

March 17, 2020 (1:00 p.m.)

Statement from Mayor Burrow regarding COVID-19

Township of Elizabethtown-Kitley, Ontario

This morning I met with the Township’s Emergency Control Group to assess the ever-evolving COVID-19 (coronavirus) and to discuss an appropriate municipal response to this health event in an effort to keep our community and staff as safe as possible.  Given the directives expressed to date, including Premier Doug Ford’s Declaration of an Emergency for Ontario as of this morning, the Township of Elizabethtown-Kitley will implement the following responses:

1. Municipal Buildings closed to the public - Effective immediately, all municipal buildings (including municipal offices, libraries, fire halls, public works buildings) are closed to the public until April 20, 2020.  Emails and telephone calls are still being accepted.   
2. Council and Committee meetings are cancelled - Effective immediately all Council/Advisory/Board/Committee meetings are cancelled until April 20, 2020.
3. Tax due date extended – The tax due date for the 1^st tax payment installment is postponed from March 27, 2020 to April 24, 2020 and this date may be subject to a further extension if necessary. Various options for payment during the municipal building closure timeframe are available (please call the office or visit the Township’s website at www.ektwp.ca).
4. Waste Site Operations to be modified - Effective Friday, March 20, 2020 only recyclables and bagged garbage will be accepted.  This will remain in effect until April 20, 2020.

All end dates noted above are subject to further review and reconsideration.

The Township will continue to monitor developments, directives and reliable sources of information as it becomes available.  In turn, the Township may further adjust responses when deemed appropriate.                                                                                                  

Reliable sources of local, provincial and federal information can be viewed on the Township’s website www.ektwp.ca.  The Township’s website also offers a link to the COVID-19 self-assessment tool.  If you are experiencing symptoms of concern that may be related to COVID-19 (such as fever, cough, difficulty breathing) reach out to the local Health Unit at 613-345-5685 or call Telehealth at 1-866-797-0000.  Please do not call 911 unless it is an emergency.

To reiterate the directives of health officials, please remember that the best way to reduce the spread of any germs are simple measures you can take:

• wash your hands frequently with soap and water and use hand sanitizer;
• avoid touching your face with your hands;
• cover your cough and sneeze into a tissue or into your arm (not into your hands);
• practice social distancing (1 m separation or a 2 m distance if you are sick).

The current situation we find ourselves in is new for all of us.  If you are feeling overwhelmed reach out for help.  The Health Unit website at www.healthunit.org offers  tips and resources available.

Be assured that we will continue to monitor this health event and we will take any further actions that may be deemed warranted based on the best information available from the local health unit and upper levels of government. 

In these unusual times, it is important for residents to know that the Township's primary concern rests with everyone's safety and well-being. We are taking steps, both public-facing and internally, that we believe are prudent and responsible while also being mindful of over-reaction.  Although the local Health Unit tells us that we are currently in a relatively low risk area, we feel strongly that such an opportunity should not be squandered and that is why we will always err on the side of caution.