Updated as of May 3, 2021
***Public health information is located at the bottom of this page.
Service Updates
Province Declares State of Emergency and Issues Stay-at-Home Order
Given the increase
in cases, continued variant spread and the strain on the health-care system,
the Ontario government has declared the third State of Emergency since the
beginning of the pandemic and issued a Stay-at-Home order commencing at 12:01
a.m. on Thursday, April 8th for a minimum of 28 days. Only grocery
stores and pharmacies will be permitted to remain open for shopping indoors.
All non-essential businesses will be required to close and big box retail
stores will be restricted to selling only grocery,
pharmacy, and personal care items for in-person shopping. For full details,
visit the provincial
website.
More than 1,800 of the County's 1,950 employees work in healthcare and essential front-line service roles or directly support these critical services. Throughout the pandemic, the County has utilized every resource it has to continue to maintain essential services, support our communities and care for vulnerable residents.
As many of the County of Simcoe's public facing services have maintained extensive COVID-19 safety measures throughout the pandemic, this new Provincial Emergency Declaration does not have any further impacts on County's essential programs or services. The County's Emergency declaration, originally issued on March 18, 2020, remains in effect.
As of April 12, the County will also be supporting with the regional Emergency Childcare program. Please see chart below for application details.
If you or someone you know needs transportation to and from your vaccination appointment, please visit CT Link Simcoe County's website.
See below for service, facility and program updates:
Closed to the Public |
|
County Administration Centre | Closed to the public: The Administration Centre will be closed to the Public. Staff will continue to serve residents, clients and partners virtually by appointment only - The Service Simcoe Contact Centre continues with virtual service only at service@simcoe.ca or 705-735-6901
- The Cravings @ Work Cafeteria will be closed to staff and the public during the lockdown
|
|
Simcoe County Museum | Closed to the public.
|
|
Simcoe County Archives | Closed to the public. - Building access remains closed to the public during the pandemic
- Staff will continue to provide remote/virtual services to the public and clients.
Click here for information.
|
Continued Essential/Critical Services: |
Waste Facilities/Landfills Open
| Open. Operating Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
*Materials from residents of Barrie and Orillia will not be accepted.
|
Collingwood | | X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X | |
West Gwillimbury | | X
|
X |
X |
X |
X |
X | |
North Simcoe | |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X | X
| |
Nottawasaga | |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X
|
Oro | |
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
| Mara
| |
|
| |
X
|
X
|
X |
Tosorontio
|
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
Matchedash
|
X
|
X
|
| | | |
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X = Open (8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.) The following enhanced health and safety restrictions are in effect at all County Waste Facilities: - Debit and credit transactions preferred
- To ensure physical distancing is maintained at the sites, the number of customers may be limited onsite, resulting in longer than normal wait times.
- If you are sick, self-isolating due to COVID-19 symptoms, or have recently returned (within 14 days) from travel, do not visit a County waste facility.
For more information, click here. |
Curbside Waste Collection Continues
| Open. Curbside waste collection services will continue during the lockdown. Please bag all organics.
Information on collection impacts for your specific location and updates on returns can be found through the Simcoe County Collects app, which is free to download on the App Store or GooglePlay. Notices are also posted on
simcoe.ca. |
Service Simcoe Contact Centre (Administration Centre)
| Virtual Service: The Service Simcoe Contact Centre remain to offer virtual service only at service@simcoe.ca or 705-735-6901.
|
LINX Transit Continues
| Open. LINX Transit will continue to operate all routes with safety precautions in place during the lockdown To find out when your next bus is arriving, go to www.linx.simcoe.ca/ or use Transit app, available at https://transitapp.com/ or download on your device free of charge.
LINX will also be following Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Public Transit Safety Guidelines to ensure passengers and employees are kept safe as more people go back to work during COVID-19.
In keeping with these MTO guidelines, the County is requesting that ALL customers follow protocols, including:
- Passengers and drivers to wear non-medical masks or face coverings. While masks or face coverings will be highly recommended, we understand there are circumstance for children and people with disabilities, or other medical conditions, that prevent them from wearing a mask.
- Maintaining physical distance between people whenever possible;
- Removing all personal belongings and waste upon departure; and
- Sneezing into their elbow, using hand sanitizer and washing hands properly
|
| Ontario Works Open (with modified public access) | Open. Due to the essential nature of the service, Ontario Works Offices remain open to provide limited and modified client support (including the Midhurst Office) - Clients are encouraged to utilize virtual assistance options to further reduce foot traffic
- Clients are strongly encouraged to register for Direct Bank Deposit. To do so, please contact your Caseworker by telephone at 705-722-3132.
For clients not registered for Direct Bank Deposit, cheque pick-up is available at Ontario Works offices in Barrie, Bradford*, Orillia, Collingwood, Alliston and Midland. *Please note that effective September 28, the Ontario Works office in Bradford will reopen in its new location: Unit 4 -157 Holland Street East, Bradford, Ontario, L3Z 1G4 Visit https://www.simcoe.ca/dpt/ow to learn more.
|
| Emergency Child Care Support | As of April 12, the County is supporting, where possible, with Emergency Childcare services to support health care and frontline workers. For information or to apply click here. |
Social and Affordable Housing
| Appointments will be done by phone only. For general inquiries email
iah@simcoe.ca
|
General Services providing safe and efficient assistance
| The County will also maintain safe operations in Long-Term Care and Seniors Services facilities, Paramedic Services, Economic Development and Tourism, Library Co-operative, Planning, Forestry, Transportation and Engineering, roads and plowing services, Lake Simcoe Regional Airport, Social Housing, Local Immigration Services, Children and Community Services, Customer Service, Legislative and Government Services (including virtual Council meetings), and administrative/support departments. Staff will be working remotely where possible and public/client assistance will be by appointment for relevant services |
Helpful links
FAQs
How can I protect myself and others?
To reduce exposure to and transmission of the coronavirus, you can:
- Frequently clean your hands by using soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub
- When coughing and sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue – throw tissue away immediately and wash your hands
- Avoid close contact with anyone who has a fever and cough
- If you have fever, cough, and difficulty breathing seek medical care early and share previous travel history with your health care provider
What is a Coronavirus?
Coronavirus (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. What we are experiencing now is a new strain of the coronavirus that has not been previously identified in humans. All case are linked to a seafood and poultry market in Wuhan China. All cases that have been identified have a travel link to this market. The animal of origin has not been determined yet.
How is it transmitted?
Coronaviruses are transmitted between animals and people. Once a person is infected with the coronavirus, it can then be transmitted from person to person. The mode of transmission is respiratory droplets, such as through coughing or sneezing.
What are the symptoms?
Common signs include respiratory symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath. In more severe cases, it can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and death. If you experience any of these symptoms and you have travelled to or from Wuhan, China recently, please contact your health care provider.
