The Ontario government is allowing more businesses to open as of Monday, May 4.

The list includes:

Garden centres and nurseries with curbside pick-up and delivery only;

Lawn care and landscaping;

Additional essential construction projects that include:

Automatic and self-serve car washes.

Golf courses may prepare their courses for the upcoming season, but not open to the public.

Marinas may also begin preparations for the recreational boating season by servicing boats and other watercraft and placing boats in the water, but not open to the public. Boats and watercraft must be secured to a dock in the marina until public access is allowed.

The province is permitting certain businesses and workplaces to reopen as long as they comply with strict public health measures and operate safely during the COVID-19 outbreak.

"We are allowing certain businesses to reopen under strict guidelines because we are confident they can operate safely and adapt to the current environment," said Premier Doug Ford. "While further reductions in the spread are needed before we can begin reopening the province, we have the right framework and the right workplace guidelines in place to do so gradually and safely."

The loosening of COVID-19 emergency measures in Ontario will be phased in, while maintaining safety and restarting the economy, the government says.

The government is planning a stage-by-stage approach to reopening the economy to ensure there are appropriate measures in place so workplaces can open safely. Public health officials will carefully monitor each stage for two to four weeks, as they assess the evolution of the COVID-19 outbreak to determine if it is necessary to change course to maintain public health.

Stage 1: For businesses that were ordered to close or restrict operations, opening select workplaces that can immediately modify operations to meet public health guidance. Opening some outdoor spaces like parks and allowing for a greater number of individuals to attend some events. Hospitals would also begin to offer some non-urgent and scheduled surgeries, and other health care services.
Stage 2: Opening more workplaces, based on risk assessments, which may include some service industries and additional office and retail workplaces. Some larger public gatherings would be allowed, and more outdoor spaces would open.
Stage 3: Opening of all workplaces responsibly and further relaxing of restrictions on public gatherings.
Throughout each stage, continued protections for vulnerable populations must be in place, along with the continued practice of physical distancing, hand washing and respiratory hygiene, and significant mitigation plans to limit health risks.

To reopen the economy, the government will consider factors such as the risk of the spread of COVID-19 and the ability to implement protective measures to keep workplaces safe. The Chief Medical Officer of Health and health experts will provide advice to the government about easing public health measures using a range of set criteria, including:

A consistent two-to-four week decrease in the number of new daily COVID-19 cases;
Sufficient acute and critical care capacity, including access to ventilators and ongoing availability of personal protective equipment;
Approximately 90 per cent of new COVID-19 contacts are being reached by local public health officials within one day, with guidance and direction to contain community spread; and
Ongoing testing of suspected COVID-19 cases, especially of vulnerable populations, to detect new outbreaks quickly.

The Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) is reminding the public that in order to continue slowing the spread of COVID-19, it’s important to keep practising physical distancing, and to stay at home as much as possible. With COVID-19 circulating within the community, it also means self-isolating for anyone feeling unwell.

“After more than a month of physical distancing and staying home, it’s not unusual to be experiencing some restlessness,” acknowledges Dr. Roumeliotis, Medical Officer of Health. “I understand that it’s difficult on everyone – kids, adults, businesses and communities. But physical distancing and staying at home are working. The spread of COVID-19 is finally beginning to slow.”

Because most Ontarians have been following public health advice, the province is starting to see the benefits of the closures and restrictions that have been in place. There are signs the curve of COVID-19 infection in Ontario may be flattening. This is true in the EOHU region as well. But to continue the trend and avoid a surge in new infections, it is critical to continue following public health advice.

“We’re starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel. But what we do today will impact how long we have to keep public health measures in place, including staying at home, event cancellations, and closures of schools, facilities and businesses,” says Dr. Roumeliotis. “Every day that we follow these measures gets us closer to being able to relax restrictions.” He warns that lifting restrictions too soon will likely result in an increase in COVID-19 spread and a return to strict measures to bring it back under control.

He made the comments after the first case of the virus was confirmed in an area nursing home.

An employee at the Pinecrest facility in Plantagenet is now self-isolating.

The Prescott-Russell Emergency Services tested 114 patients and staff April 23.
 
“All the residents and staff tested were asymptomatic, meaning that they did not demonstrate or produce any symptoms of COVID-19,” explained Marc-André Périard, director of the services. “These tests were performed by our community paramedics, who were able to complete this task within a three-hour period.”
 
The results of these tests are currently pending results. Should any of the tests reveal positive cases, the UCPR community paramedics will be able to support the treating physicians and help ease symptoms if they were to occur.

So far, none of the residents has tested positive for the coronavirus.

As of April 23, there were 75 confirmed cases in Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry, Prescott-Russell and Cornwall.

There were no deaths, four patients were hospitalized, two were in intensive care, 36 cases had been resolved and 1,489 people had been tested at assessment centres.

Of the total, 45 patients are from Prescott-Russell, 16 from SDG and 14 from Cornwall.

The Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) is reminding the public that in order to continue slowing the spread of COVID-19, it’s important to keep practising physical distancing, and to stay at home as much as possible. With COVID-19 circulating within the community, it also means self-isolating for anyone feeling unwell.
“After more than a month of physical distancing and staying home, it’s not unusual to be experiencing some restlessness,” acknowledges Dr. Roumeliotis. “I understand that it’s difficult on everyone – kids, adults, businesses and communities. But physical distancing and staying at home are working. The spread of COVID-19 is finally beginning to slow.”

Construction is scheduled to begin next year on an “innovative food hub” to be established by the United Counties of Prescott-Russell in partnership with the private sector.
The UCPR will build a federal slaughterhouse, with food processing and distribution capacities, in order to meet the needs of regional and national markets.
A call for tenders to find private sector partners will be issued shortly. Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2021 and the opening is planned for the fall of 2022.
The  location of the $36 million project, which will create 65 jobs, will be unveiled shortly.
“It is time for municipalities to launch innovative projects that will generate new revenue streams that will help cover municipal expenses with funds other than government subsidies and property taxes. Furthermore, the UCPR will be the majority shareholder of this agri-food company,” stated UCPR Warden Pierre Leroux.
 This business model, unique in Canada and perhaps worldwide, is modelled in part on American food hubs where producers send their cattle to slaughter, after which they are packaged and distributed in a predetermined market. This project is unique here because all types of meats and vegetables will be processed.
Research has also confirmed that retailers and consumers are increasingly interested in buying quality and traceable local products. The food hub will therefore take the lead in the recovery and revival of agri-food in the region, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic.
 “We have learned from the current pandemic situation,” added Stéphane Sarrazin, Chair of the UCPR Economic Development and Tourism Committee. “Due to the increasing uncertainty across international markets, food self-sufficiency has become more important in terms of availability, freshness and traceability.”
The UCPR’s Food Hub will further the success of existing local food counters in retail stores. It will meet the needs of red and white meat producers as well as vegetable growers, who will overcome the challenges of production and processing and ensure the growth of their businesses. The food hub will eliminate the uncertainty of sales, reduce food waste, and will favour the creation of new products during the processing stage, the counties say.
 
 

The Township of North Glengarry has lifted the total burn ban which went into effect April 3.

The restriction was imposed to protect fire department staff during the COVID-19 pandemic and the approaching dry season.

North Glengarry Fire Chief Matthew Roy has been closely monitoring the situation and decided this week to lift the edict.

"We would like to thank our residents for supporting our local firefighters during the burn ban. We recognize that many of you are eager to resume burning for both agricultural and recreational purposes. We remind residents that any and all Open Air fires require burn permits and that our residents must follow all of the rules that accompany their burn permit. We need your help to keep our community safe," he said.

Residents who had previously received their burn permits can now burn, provided that they are following the conditions set forth within the Township's Burn By-Law. This includes refraining from all fires when conditions are not favourable, such as on windy days when the wind velocity is greater than 15 kilometres per hour.

All Open Air burns must be monitored at all times; and it is never permitted to burn noxious materials, such as tires, plastics, garbage or construction materials.

Burn permits are available online at the Township of North Glengarry's website at www.northglengarry.ca or through the direct link at https://northglengarry.burnpermits.com/. Burn permits take about 48 hours to process and are currently only available online. For assistance with your permit, call the Fire Department Administrator at 613-525-1110 ext. 200 or email fireadmin@northglengarry.ca

It is illegal to have an open air fire without a burn permit. Offenders may face fines.

The Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) is notifying the public that a case of COVID-19 has been confirmed in an employee at the Food Basics grocery store on Brookdale Ave. in Cornwall. The EOHU is actively working in cooperation with the Brookdale Food Basics store to assess the risk to store employees and to trace contacts of the individual. The risk to the public is considered to be low.

The employee worked day shifts at the Brookdale Food Basics store on April 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th and 18th. The individual started to develop symptoms on April 15th and was tested for COVID-19 on April 17th; the result was confirmed on April 18th. After receiving the test result, the employee immediately left work and entered isolation. All recommended public health measures were in place at the store throughout the days that the employee worked. In response to the positive case, the store is undertaking appropriate additional cleaning and disinfection.

“Although we feel that the risk to the public is low, we’re releasing this information so that shoppers who were at the Brookdale Food Basics during this period are aware,” states Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, Medical Officer of Health. “As a precaution, shoppers who were at the store on these dates should self-monitor for symptoms. If they start to feel symptoms, they should seek testing.” Common symptoms of COVID-19 can include fever, a new or worsening cough, sore throat, muscle aches and more. A full list of symptoms is available at www.EOHU.ca/coronavirus. 

Testing is offered at a number of COVID-19 assessment centres in the region. Locations and hours of the assessment centres are available on the EOHU’s website. Anyone presenting with symptoms, who was at the store on the dates above, should indicate to the assessment centre that they were potentially exposed.

There are now 65 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry, Prescott-Russell and Cornwall, reports the Eastern Ontario Health Unit.

Of this number, 25 cases have been resolved, four are hospitalized and three are in intensive care.

An Eastern Ontario Health Unit map shows that Prescott-Russell accounts for most of the COVID-19 cases in this region.

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The Eastern Ontario Health Unit reports that as of April 11 there were 58 cases in Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry, Prescott-Russell and Cornwall.

• Total cases in EOHU region: 58
• Total currently hospitalized: 7
• Total currently in ICU: 3
• Total resolved: 29
• Total deceased:  0

Summary of Confirmed Cases by Age and Sex:

• Total cases under 20 years of age: 1
  • Male: 1
  • Female: 0
• Total cases 20 to 29 years of age: 6
  • Male: 3
  • Female: 3
• Total cases 30 to 39 years of age: 12
  • Male: 5
  • Female: 7
• Total cases 40 to 49 years of age: 5
  • Male: 2
  • Female: 3
• Total cases 50 to 59 years of age: 16
  • Male: 10
  • Female: 6
• Total cases 60 to 69 years of age: 15
  • Male: 10
  • Female: 5
• Total cases 70 to 79 years of age: 2
  • Male: 1
  • Female: 1
• Total cases 80 years of age or more: 0
  • Male: 0
  • Female: 0
• Total cases age unknown: 1
  • Male: 1
  • Female: 0

Spring is in the air and much of the ice on area lakes and rivers has melted away, tempting boaters to venture out. Warmer air temperatures, however, provide a false sense of security as the water is still extremely cold and even strong swimmers are unable to cope with the cold water shock and lose muscle control very quickly.

East Region OPP encourages the public to follow the Ontario Ministry of Health's recommendations to stay home and avoid non-essential travel in order to limit the spread of COVID-19, but if you must be on the waterways, below are a few reminders and safety tips:

Always wear a life jacket, it will significantly increase your chance of surviving the cold water, should you be exposed;

• Share your plans and a timeline with someone you trust;
• Check the weather before you go out and check the water temperature;
• If it is very cold, consider staying off the water until warmer temperatures are achieved;
• Ensure that you have the necessary safety equipment on board.

Emergency situations that arise either on the water or at water-access only locations can be very stressful and dangerous for emergency responders.

How you can help, crucial time, milk dumped, proactive approach.

In The News this week, how we are trying to flatten the curve and lift spirits.

More businesses will be forced to close as of 11:59 p.m. April 4 as the Ontario government has expanded its list of non-essential services in a bid to contain the COVID-19 virus.

All supply chains necessary for the production of vital food and healthcare supplies are being protected and remain intact.

The updated list will direct additional businesses to close and restricts specified businesses to providing services by alternate methods such as curb side pick up and delivery, except in exceptional circumstances. This includes stores that sell hardware products, vehicle parts and supplies, pet and animal supplies, office supplies and computer products and repairs and safety supplies.

Only critical construction projects will continue, including industrial projects such as refineries and petrochemical plants and infrastructure projects such as new hospitals, roads and bridges. New starts in residential projects will stop, while residential construction that is near completion will continue. Business owners with questions concerning their essential business status are encouraged to call the Stop the Spread hotline at 1-888-444-3659. The hotline is available from 8:30 a.m.― 9:00 p.m. Monday to Friday and 8:30 a.m.— 5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Municipalities now have the authority to enforce COVID-19 restrictions.

Police and by-law officers will be monitoring people ensuring that they do not congregate, use park equipment or not respect social distancing rules.

Emergency child care centres for essential service workers have been set up at Pleasant Corners Public School in Vankleek Hill, Chesterville Public School in Chesterville, Commonwealth Public School in Brockville, and South Branch Elementary School in Kemptville.

Health care and other frontline workers, including doctors, nurses, paramedics, firefighters, police, and correctional officers, will be able to access these safe, local emergency child care centres. These centres will be required to follow heightened screening and health and safety requirements, and have a plan in place should any staff, children or parents be exposed to the virus.