Friday, July 17 will mark the start of Stage 3 of the province's reopening framework in Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry and Prescott-Russell and many other parts of the province.

Nearly all businesses and public spaces will reopen in Stage 3  while public health and workplace safety measures and restrictions remain in place.

Under Stage 3:

Indoor gathering limits will increase to a maximum of 50 people;

Outdoor gathering limits will increase to a maximum of 100 people;

Gathering limits are subject to physical distancing requirements.

Public gathering limits apply to indoor and outdoor events, such as community events or gatherings, concerts, live shows, festivals, conferences, sports and recreational fitness activities, fundraisers, fairs, festivals or open houses. A two-metre distance must still be maintained at such events.

The Chief Medical Officer of Health, public health experts and other officials have advised the following, high-risk places and activities are not yet safe to open, even if a region has entered Stage 3, due to the likelihood of large crowds congregating, difficulties with physical distancing, or challenges maintaining the proper cleaning and sanitation required to prevent the spread of COVID‑19:

Amusement parks and water parks;
Buffet-style food services;
Dancing at restaurants and bars, other than by performers hired by the establishment following specific requirements;
Overnight stays at camps for children;
Private karaoke rooms;
Prolonged or deliberate contact while playing sports;
Saunas, steam rooms, bath houses and oxygen bars;
Table games at casinos and gaming establishments.
For more information visit Ontario.ca/reopen.

Much-needed rain is forecast for Saturday.

Until then, try to stay cool.

Saying “Yes” to ENCORE paid off for Paul Loranger of Alexandria, who won $100,000 in the March 7 LOTTO 6/49 draw.
The 67-year-old married father of one was fueling up his vehicle and went inside the gas station to check his ticket on the Ticket Checker. “The cashier asked if I wanted her to scan my ticket and I said, ‘Oh, I know I’ve won $100,000,’” he smiled, while at the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto to pick up his cheque. “The cashier thought I was joking until she scanned the ticket and the terminal froze,” he laughed.
Since his win, the retired horse racer has purchased a “new-to-him” 2016 Dodge Ram with low mileage that is in mint condition. He plans to enjoy his time and his winnings at his hobby farm.
“This is perfect timing. If I had won this when I was younger, it would have been operating money and it would be gone. At this point in my life, I will do the right things with my windfall and it will last longer,” he concluded.

As of midnight July 7, people in Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry and Prescott-Russell will be required to wear face coverings when entering public places.

However, there will be an enforcement grace period of one week until July 14 at 12 a.m.

“Wearing a mask or face covering in indoor public spaces accessed by the public adds another level of protection against the spread of COVID-19,” states Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, Medical Officer of Health at the Eastern Ontario Health Unit. “There is scientific evidence that wearing a mask is an effective way of preventing the spread of COVID-19, and it’s another measure we are adding to our arsenal as we get ready for stage 3 of reopening and back-to-school in the fall.”

The decision to implement a mandatory masking policy made by the 4 health units in Eastern Ontario follows the initiative of other health units across the province and will decrease the odds of having to shut down the economy again due to outbreaks of COVID-19. “Mandatory masks will help support businesses and service providers throughout the region as they resume operations by reducing the risk of an outbreak in their workplace, adding another layer of protection for their employees, and increasing customers’ confidence that they can enjoy a safe return to shopping and other activities,” says Dr. Roumeliotis.

The EOHU will use an educational approach focused on signage in premises, the training of staff on masking policies, and notifying customers of the Directive. The masks or face coverings used will have to securely cover the nose, mouth and chin. Exemptions will be made for individuals who cannot wear a mask due to health concerns or other valid reasons. For more information, please consult the highlights of the EOHU’s Directive for Mandatory Masking in Indoor Public Spaces on the EOHU’s website.

The EOHU reminds residents that while wearing a mask or face covering can help prevent the spread of infectious respiratory droplets, it’s not a substitute for physical distancing and handwashing. “In addition to wearing a mask, it’s also very important to continue practising good hand hygiene and, when possible, to keep a distance of at least 2 metres from other people when you’re out in public,” says Dr. Roumeliotis. He adds that information on proper mask use as well as other tips for protecting yourself against COVID-19 are available on the EOHU’s website at www.EOHU.ca/coronavirus or the Government of Ontario’s website at covid-19.ontario.ca.

Two women were injured June 26 when they were struck by a vehicle at a business on Fourth Road near Avonmore.
One pedestrian suffered serious injuries while a second pedestrian sustained non-life-threatening injuries, when a vehicle, driven by an 82-year-old woman, struck them and two unoccupied vehicles while reversing, reports the Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry Ontario Provincial Police detachment.
The driver, who has been charged with careless driving causing bodily harm, was released and is scheduled to appear in court October 13.

Residents are being asked to conserve water as the Raisin Region and South Nation conservation authorities have declared a level 1 low water condition for the area, following a long dry spell.
A Level 1 condition can be declared if a three-month precipitation total falls below 80 per cent of average. As of June 30, the three-month total was about 50 per cent of the average precipitation levels.
A Level 1 condition is the first indication of potential water supply problem. Level 2 indicates a potentially serious problem. Level 3 indicates a failure of the water supply to meet the demand.
Due to a drier than usual spring, persistent hot temperatures, and lack of precipitation, the authorities are encouraging residents and businesses to reduce their water consumption by 10 per cent to help mitigate the impacts of low water conditions. Water consumption can be reduced by limiting non-essential uses such as watering your lawn or washing your car.

A 75-year-old man was killed June 30 when the vehicle he was driving rolled over on County Road 19, between County Road 20 and Headline Road, in South Glengarry Township.

Preliminary investigation has indicated that at approximately 6:24 a.m., a westbound passenger vehicle left the roadway and rolled over.

The driver was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Wearing a face covering inside public places will likely become mandatory next week in the region served by the Eastern Ontario Health  Unit.

Medical Officer of Health Dr. Paul Roumeliotis says the measure is being imposed in response to public demands that face mask use be mandated in order to slow the spread of COVID-19.

A statement is expected next week outlining details of the order.

The News of July 1 has a lot to read, eh?

The South Nation Conservation Authority is warning the public about a bird of prey with a keen maternal instinct.
“We’ve received reports of an aggressive hawk nesting along the trail at the Warwick Forest Conservation Area in Berwick,” says SNC. “Hawks will aggressively defend their nests and may swoop or strike at humans using their claws, usually going for the head. This could result in injury.” Visitors “should proceed with caution,” and use alternative routes. SNC officials also recommend using an umbrella while visiting the site.

A 28-year-old Williamstown man died in a fall June 23 at a home on Heron Road.
Leonide Egorov died from his injuries after the incident which occurred at about 1 p.m., reports the Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry Ontario Provincial Police deetachment.
The investigation and a post-mortem have confirmed the death as being non-suspicious. There was no public safety concern at any time, the detachment says.

Identical triplets, an exciting moment, a retiring Manor head and a response from a former police officer are just some of the reasons to read The News of June 24.

Three scenarios are presented in the Ontario government's plan to resume classes in September.

While the decision to return to the normal school day routine will continue to be based on medical advice, boards and schools are being asked to plan for alternative scenarios that may need to be implemented in September depending on the province's COVID-19 situation.

The plan will provide options for parents to send their children in-class or to enter online learning.

Boards will be asked to plan for the following three scenarios to be implemented in September, depending on the public health situation at the time:

1. Normal school day routine with enhanced public health protocols. Students going to school every day, in classes that reflect standard class size regulations.

2. Modified school day routine - Based on public health advice, an adapted delivery model has been designed to allow for physical distancing and cohorts of students. Under this model, school boards are asked to maintain a limit of 15 students in a typical classroom at one time and adopt timetabling that would allow for students to remain in contact only with their classmates and a single teacher for as much of the school day as possible. This model would require alternate day or alternate week delivery to a segment of the class at one time.

3. At home learning - Should the school closure be extended, or some parents choose not to send their child back to school, school boards need to be prepared to offer remote education. Remote education should be delivered online to the greatest extent possible, including the establishment of minimum expectations for students to have direct contact with their teacher at the same time on a regular basis, also known as synchronous learning. Synchronous learning can be used as part of whole class instruction, in smaller groups of students, and/or in a one-on-one context.

The government is instructing school boards to be prepared with a plan, should it be required, that includes an adapted delivery model, which could include alternate day or alternate week attendance, staggered bell times and recess, and different transportation arrangements, among a variety of other considerations to ensure the safety of students and staff.

The Eastern Ontario Health Unit has issued a boil water advisory for Maxville following adverse testing results.
Until further notice, water for drinking and food preparation must be boiled (boil water, to a rolling boil) for a least one minute to kill all disease-causing organisms or you may also use bottled water.
Any affected resident will receive written confirmation once the problem has been rectified.
Should you have any questions, contact the Health Unit at 1-800-267-7120 or North Glengarry Township at 613-525-3087.

Every year, The News publishes our Salute To Excellence, congratulating secondary school students in the region we serve.
Information and photos are provided by the schools.
This is an excellent opportunity for advertisers to join us in congratulating the leaders of the future.
June 26 is the advertising deadline for this supplement which will be published July 8.
At the same time, proud parents can purchase personalized ads in our regular newspaper, with a photo and a congratulatory message for the price of $60.
Contact our advertising department at production@glengarrynews.ca or 613-525-2020.

The News of June 17 also has a report on a restaurant that is bouncing back from a fire, views on equality, masks and insurance, plus a poem.