With more businesses and services opening July 17 under Ontario’s Stage 3 reopening plan, the local health unit is updating its directives on non-medical mask use in indoor public places.
As Kawartha Lakes gets set to open its restaurants for indoor dining again, many are wondering how that option co-exists with the rule about wearing a mask in public places.
As it turns out, you’ll be expected to do both, according to Bill Eekhoff, communications officer at the local health unit.
The local Health Unit is clarifying its instructions about mandatory mask wearing in commercial premises — a policy that takes effect July 13. Commercial establishments are premises that are openly accessible to members of the public and used for the purposes of offering goods or services for sale.
An establishment would include a mall or other structure containing commercial premises, including: retail stores, convenience stores, restaurants, personal services settings, grocery stores and bakeries, gas stations, indoor farmers’ markets, areas of mechanics’ shops/garages/repair shops which are open to the public.
Under instructions issued by the local Medical Officer of Health, area businesses will have to have a policy in place that requires people to wear a non-medical mask or face covering before entering their commercial establishment.
There are 11 unresolved COVID-19 cases in Kawartha Lakes, according to the local health unit, all of whom are self-isolating in their homes.
The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit data shows 171 confirmed cases total for Kawartha Lakes, minus the 141 cases considered ‘resolved.’ There are also 19 COVID-19-related deaths tied to confirmed cases in the community.
The Boys and Girls Club of Kawartha Lakes (BGCKL) is developing plans to offer licensed childcare and in-person summer camp programs in accordance with the government guidelines.
The club has not confirmed the starting dates for licensed childcare at the Lindsay site (Kids in Motion) or the Little Britain site (Dr. George Hall Child Care). Summer Camps are scheduled to begin on June 29. Both licensed child care and camp programs require public health approvals.
The local public health unit says that an outbreak has been declared at the Fenelon Court Long Term Care Home in Fenelon Falls — and there’s a “suspect outbreak” at Bobcaygeon’s Pinecrest Nursing Home.
“Would you be able to make a few cloth masks for hospital visitors and patients leaving the hospital and heading home?”
That question came to Eleanor Plewes in an email from Dr. Rob Drury in late March. A few months and over 3,000 masks later, he’s had his answer.
Plewes reached out to her evening quilting guild and Victoria Quilts, a group that makes quilts for cancer patients. Thirty-five people responded.
Ross Memorial Hospital will higher annualized funding, according to a press release from the province.
“This investment provides a five per cent increase of over $3.7 million in funding for Ross Memorial Hospital and a two per cent increase of more than $199,000 for Haliburton Highlands Health Services Corporation,” says MPP Laurie Scott in the release.
If ward one residents Jennifer Wilson and Ian Forster have their way, Coboconk and area will soon have its own wellness centre, complete with family doctors.
The two presented a feasibility study that was commissioned almost a year ago by council regarding the construction of a Coboconk Wellness Centre.
