Kanata North COVID-19 Update July 30

Good afternoon Kanata North, 

This week we saw a concerning and daily increase in the number of COVID-19 infections in our city. I find this very concerning. I implore everyone to please remember that we are in the midst of a pandemic. We cannot let our guard down. Please remember to keep your social bubble limited to a maximum of 10 people. Please respect Ottawa Public Health guidance – wear a mask and maintain physical distancing when out in public. 

Today, the Province released plans for safe reopening of schools in September. Please see the Provincial Updates below for details. 

Kanata North Updates 

  • For your information, I am providing an update on city services and facilities located in our community:
    • Play structures: Effective July 17th, all playgrounds/play structures, as well as outdoor exercise equipment at city parks were reopened. However, as these areas are not frequently cleaned, the need to avoid touching your face and washing your hands before and after using park equipment is very important.  Also, physical distancing of at least two metres must still be practiced. 
    • Sports fields, ball diamonds and other outdoor public courts are now available to rent. For information on how, please go to the City of Ottawa’s website here. 
    • Beaverbrook Library is now open every day except Sunday to pick up holds or return items. For information regarding opening hours, please go to the City of Ottawa’s website here. Contactless service is currently offered.  
    • John Mlacak Community Centre: Closed to public until September. Rental’s for the ice rink will be announced soon once maintenance is complete on the rink. 
    • Kanata Seniors Centre: All indoor recreational programming is cancelled until the end of summer. The teams are awaiting direction from city staff for Older Adult Programming.  
    • Richcraft Recreation Complex: The pool is open for lane and public swims. Due to COVID-19, the number of swimmers permitted at a time has been reduced. Residents must reserve their spot before swimming. The weight and cardio room will open on August 4. Residents will be required to follow strict health and safety protocols and reserve a time slot. All indoor recreational programming has been cancelled until the end of summer. 
    • SS#1, Old Town Hall and Beaverbrook Community Centre: Closed to public until further notice. 
  • We are incredibly fortunate to have many beautiful paths in Kanata North. Over the course of the pandemic, many residents have reached out regarding sharing the paths with pedestrians and cyclists. With higher traffic, please ensure you are passing with at least 2 metres between, only cycling on paths that permit bikes, and announcing when you approach. We must also continue to keep our community beautiful. Please ensure you are not littering while exploring Kanata North. 
  • Local Kanata North residents Aislynn and Izzy, founders of Menstrottawa have partnered with the Kanata Food Cupboard to create Period Kits as part of the Back to School Program. This is part of their greater goal to promote the awareness of period poverty by advocating for the accessibility of period products. Please consider donating tampons and pads. Email me directly for details. 

City of Ottawa and Ottawa Public Health Updates (OPH) 

Here are the latest updates from the City of Ottawa and OPH: 

  • Today, OPH reported 15 new cases and 0 new deaths. This brings the cumulative total of cases to 2,496 and 264 deaths. 
  • As of this past Monday, residents are no longer required to book an appointment to pick up books at any of the available public libraries. If you have already booked an appointment, you can pick up your holds anytime during opening hours. You do not need to take any action to cancel your appointment. Customers are able to enter these branches to return borrowed items, and to pick up and check out holds using the checkout machines. All residents must wear a mask while indoors and at this time, in-person browsing is not available. 
  • Starting on August 17th, most Library Branches (including Beaverbrook) will begin offering enhanced in-person services, such as browsing, use of public computers by appointment, card registration, and in-branch assistance with eReaders, readers’ advisory, and reference questions.  
  • On August 4th, nine of the city’s weight and cardio rooms will reopen, including Kanata North’s Richcraft Recreation Complex. To reduce the amount of people using the facility at a time, residents will have to reserve a time slot in advance. Strict health and safety measures have been implemented including: 
    • Physical distancing of 2 metres is required at all times. Room capacities have been reduced to accommodate this. 
    • Additional hand sanitizing stations are available and frequent handwashing is encouraged. 
    • Masks are required when entering the facility, in common areas, lobbies, washrooms, changerooms, and hallways. Masks are not required in workout areas. 
    • Enhanced cleaning and disinfecting protocols have been implemented. 

Provincial Updates 

Here are the latest updates from the Ontario government: 

  • Today, the Ontario government provided details on the safe restart of the 2020-2021 school year, provided by Premier Doug Ford, Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education, and Dr. Barbara Yaffe, Associate Chief Medical Officer of Health. 
    • The government has unveiled a plan that prioritizes the health and safety of students and staff, and provides school boards with unprecedented resources and flexibility, while accommodating regional differences in trends of key public health indicators. This plan was developed in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, the COVID-19 Command Table and pediatric experts. 
    • Elementary schools (Kindergarten to Grade 8) will reopen provincewide, with in-class instruction five days a week. Secondary schools with lower risk will reopen with a normal daily schedule, five days a week, while most secondary schools will start the school year in an adapted model of part-time attendance with class cohorts of up to 15 students alternating between attending in-person and online. Students from Grade 4-12 and school staff will be required to wear masks. More details are available here. 
  • Today, the Ontario government also announced its plan to allow licensed child care centres across Ontario to open at full capacity starting September 1, 2020. This decision was made in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and the COVID-19 Command Table. As a result, parents will be able to return to work knowing their children are in a safe and supportive care setting. 
  • The COVID-19 Provincial Emergency Declaration ended on July 24. On July 21, Bill 195, Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020 received Royal Assent.  This new Act was proclaimed on July 24 and provides the Province with flexibility to address the ongoing risks of the outbreak once the declared provincial emergency under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA) ends. It provides that: 
    • Emergency orders in effect under the EMCPA, as of July 24, are continued under the ROA for an initial 30 days. 
    • The Lieutenant Governor in Council may further extend these orders under the ROA for up to 30 days at a time. 
    • The Lieutenant Governor in Council may amend certain orders continued under the ROA if the amendment relates to: 
      • Labour redeployment or workplace and management rules. 
      • Closure of places and spaces or regulation of how businesses and establishments can be open to provide goods or services in a safe manner. 
      • Compliance with public health advice. 
      • Rules related to gatherings and organized public events. 
    • The ROA does not allow new orders to be created. 
  • The Ontario government, in partnership with the federal government, has announced that they will provide up to $4 billion in urgently needed one-time assistance to Ontario’s 444 municipalities. This funding will help local governments maintain the critical services people rely on every day, including public transit, over the next six to eight months. Details on specific allocations will be provided in the coming weeks. I look forward to learning more about assistance that the City of Ottawa will be receiving in the near future. 
  • Toronto Public Health and Peel Public Health regions joined the 31 public health regions that entered into Stage 3 on July 17 and 24, 2020. For questions on restrictions that will remain in place during Stage 3, review the Stage 3 Emergency Order on the emergency information portal or call the Stop the Spread Business Information Line at 1-888-444-3659. 
  • On July 29th, the Ontario government launched an independent investigation into COVID-19 and long-term care. Three commissioners will examine how COVID-19 spread within long-term care homes, the impact on residents, staff, and families, and the adequacy of measures taken by the province and other parties to prevent, isolate and contain the virus. The commission will also provide the government with guidance on how to better protect long-term care home residents and staff from any future outbreaks. The commissioners are expected to deliver their final report by April 2021. 

Federal Updates 

Do you have questions about financial and economic support available to Canadians or travel and immigration during COVID-19? Visit the federal government’s Coronavirus disease website for details. 

Thank you for your continued diligence in keeping yourself, your family and our community safe. Please reach out should you need anything. Stay safe.    

Take care,   

Jenna Sudds