Kanata North COVID-19 Update April 19

Good afternoon Kanata North,

Following the additional provincial restrictions that were announced last Friday, I have received a number of questions as to what these new changes actually look like in practice in our community. This update aims to provide more information on the new restrictions, such as the closure of public amenities and further details on vaccine availability that came in over the weekend.

I’m very pleased to share that my fellow Ottawa residents aged 40 and older are now eligible for the AstraZeneca vaccine through the pharmacy booking system. I am excited to have booked my vaccine this week, and I urge all eligible residents to do the same.

Supplies are limited, and appointments are booking quickly through the pharmacy system. Vaccines are essential in our fight against COVID-19. Whether it’s Pfizer, Moderna, or AstraZeneca, please don’t delay in booking an appointment when a vaccine becomes available to you.

Stay at home

We remain under a province-wide stay-at-home order. This means you should only go out for necessities, such as:

  • The grocery store or pharmacy
  • Health care services (including going to medical appointments or getting vaccinated)
  • Outdoor exercise or walking pets in your community
  • Work that cannot be done remotely
  • Child care or school

Businesses must ensure that all employees work from home if they can.

Closure of Outdoor Amenities

On Friday, it was announced that the Province would be closing all outdoor amenities such as basketball courts, golf courses, and playgrounds. Some things have changed since then, namely play equipment is now allowed to stay open. Here’s a list of what’s open and what’s not.

Outdoor recreational amenities are closed. This includes:

  • Outdoor sports facilities and multi-use fields, including:
    • golf courses
    • baseball diamonds
    • soccer fields
    • tennis, platform tennis, table tennis and pickleball courts
    • basketball courts
    • BMX parks
    • skate parks
    • Disc golf
  • Portions of parks or recreational areas containing outdoor fitness equipment
  • Picnic sites and picnic tables
  • Parks or recreational areas are open for the purposes of permitting persons to walk through or use portions of the park or recreational area.
  • Playgrounds can be used by children if both the children and their parents can maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from others (other than a person who is a member of the same household, a member of one other household who lives alone, or a caregiver for any member of either household).
  • Outdoor parks and recreational areas, off-leash dog parks and benches in parks or recreational areas can be used if persons using the amenity maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from any other person who is also using the facility, other than a person who is a member of the same household, a member of one other household who lives alone or a caregiver for any member of either household.

The Kanata Golf and Country Club

In response to latest COVID-19 restrictions, the Kanata Golf and Country Club golf course is temporarily closed. Please do not walk on the greens or fairways. You can use the golf course as a thru-way by walking on the paved paths only.

Interprovincial Travel & Enforcement 

Early this morning, in support of new public health orders issued by the Government of Ontario, the Ottawa Police Service started screening travellers at all Ottawa-area interprovincial borders. When approaching the border, a person may be stopped by police officers who may ask questions as to their purpose for entering the province. There will be lane reductions and turn around lanes. Please drive with care and follow the directions of officers. Beyond identification to operate a motor vehicle, there are no requirements to provide documentation to officers such as a note from an employer or physician. Individuals will be required to provide their name, address, and reason for travelling. This Provincial Order also applies to pedestrians and cyclists.

Officers will be stationed on a 24×7 basis on the Ontario side of the following crossings:

  • Champlain
  • Portage
  • Chaudière Bridge
  • Macdonald-Cartier
  • The Quyon ferry
  • Bourbonnais ferry
  • Alexandra Bridge

The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) will not be conducting random stops to assess if individuals are in compliance with the stay-at-Home order. As a consequence, OPS will not be conducting vehicle or individual stops under the new COVID-19 restrictions.

Full Regulations and additional details can be found on the Province’s website here.

COVID-19 Vaccine Update

Who is eligible In Ottawa for vaccination under Phase 2? 

  • Adults 60 years of age and older
  • Adults 40 or older are eligible for vaccination at participating pharmacies and primary care settings
  • Individuals with health conditions listed below and their caregiver
  • People who live and work in high-risk congregate settings
  • Caregivers in select congregate care settings
  • Essential frontline workers who cannot work from home, including education workers

Individuals with the following highest-risk health conditions will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccination:

  • Organ transplant recipients;
  • Hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients;
  • People with neurological diseases in which respiratory function may be compromised (e.g., motor neuron disease, myasthenia gravis, multiple sclerosis);
  • Haematological malignancy diagnosed less than one year ago;
  • Kidney disease eGFR< 30
  • Essential caregivers for individuals in the groups listed above.
  • Patients with the specific health conditions listed above, as well as their essential caregiver will be identified for vaccination due to an increased risk of serious illness and death from COVID-19, regardless of age.

How to book a vaccine at a community clinic (60+) 

Eligible residents can book an appointment on the online provincial booking portal or by calling 1-833-943-3900.

Residents can book online for appointments at the community vaccination clinics:

  • Nepean Sportsplex
  • Ruddy Family YMCA-YWCA
  • Eva James Memorial Community Centre
  • City Hall

How to book a vaccine at a pharmacy (40+) 

Many pharmacies in Ottawa are providing AstraZeneca vaccinations to Ottawa residents age 55+ and starting tomorrow, April 20th residents 40+ may also be vaccinated. Additional information as well as participating locations can be found on the Province of Ontario website.  Kanata pharmacies participating in the program include:

These vaccinations are separate from Ottawa Public Health and the City of Ottawa’s vaccination roll-out. Residents are asked to call participating pharmacies directly or the Province of Ontario Vaccination Information Line at 1-888-999-6488 if they have questions on the pharmacy vaccination program. Supplies are limited and appointments are booking quickly.

 

The pandemic and stay-at-home order have been difficult for all of us. Please remember that it’s okay not to be okay. If you’re feeling isolated or struggling with your mental health, please seek help. We all need to work together to get through this pandemic by staying home and by supporting one another.

Take care,

Jenna Sudds