Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

State of Emergency 

In response to the alarming rise of COVID-19 cases in Ontario, a declaration of emergency was made on January 12, 2021 for all of Ontario. 

The declaration of emergency allows the government to:

• strengthen public health and workplace safety measures
• create and enforce emergency orders

The purpose is to help:

• keep people at home as much as possible and save lives
• stop the spread of COVID-19 in communities
• prevent the hospital system from becoming overwhelmed
• protect at-risk populations and those who care for them

The results of the enhanced public health measures will be evaluated throughout the provincial emergency to determine when it is safe to lift any restrictions, or if they need to be extended. Read the detail framework. 

This means that the COVID-19 Response Framework (colour-coded zones of public health measures) is paused during this time. The Provincewide Shutdown that was previously in place will continue with stronger public health and workplace safety measures. 

Everyone must follow the rules (orders) under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act and the Reopening Ontario Act.

Stay-at-Home Order

As of January 14, 2021 at 12:01 a.m., a stay at home order is in effect for all of Ontario.

This means that you MUST stay at home. You should only go out for necessities, such as:

• getting food, beverages or medication
• going to medical appointments
• supporting vulnerable community members
• child care
• attending school or a post-secondary institution
• going to a bank
• accessing government services
• getting exercise or walking pets
• going to work, if you cannot work from home

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

Do not travel outside your region or the province unless absolutely necessary.

Learn more about the new public health measures and the full list of reasons you can go out during the stay at home order by visiting the province’s website.

Effective Saturday, December 26, 2020 at 12:01 a.m. Huron-Perth will begin the time-limited province-wide shutdown to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Please note that these measures will continue with stronger public health and workplace safety measures during the current State of Emergency and Stay-at-Home Order that came into effect on January 12, 2021. 

For parents whose child/ren are attending a childcare centre or home daycare:

• Use the provincial COVID-19 school and childcare screening tool [online] or COVID-19 school and childcare screening tool [PDF] to assess the health of your child/ren each morning and determine whether they can go to childcare
• If your child becomes sick during the day at childcare, your child will be separated from other children and supervised by a staff member until you are able to pick them up. You will then be advised to complete the screening tool for your sick child and follow the directions.

For staff who work in a childcare centre or home daycare:

• Use the provincial COVID-19 school and childcare screening tool to assess your health each morning and determine whether you can go to work in a childcare centre.

For childcare operators:

• Refer to the province's COVID-19: reopening child care centres.
  

 Events and gatherings

The Province of Ontario has placed restrictions on events and gatherings. 

Police are responsible for enforcing gathering limits. Please note that some public health directions are strong recommendations, but may not be part of a provincial order.

Local police:

• Stratford Police Services
• OPP Perth County
• OPP Huron County

If you have questions about whether you are in conflict with provincial requirements, please contact your local police force for clarification.

Coronaviruses are spread mainly from person to person through close contact. Close physical contact means:

• being less than 2 metres away in the same room, workspace, or area for over 15 minutes
• living in the same home

There is currently no vaccine available to protect against COVID-19, but there are actions you can take to help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses.

Learn more about how to protect yourself from COVID-19.

Every day actions to protect yourself

Proper hygiene can help reduce the risk of infection or spreading infection to others:

• wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the washroom and when preparing food
  • use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available
• when coughing or sneezing:
  • cough or sneeze into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand
  • dispose of any tissues you have used as soon as possible in a lined waste basket and wash your hands afterwards
• avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
• stay home if you are sick
• practice safe food handling: shopping, cooking and preparation

How long does the virus survive on surfaces?

• It is not certain how long the virus that causes COVID-19 survives on surfaces, but it seems to behave like other coronaviruses.
• Studies suggest that coronaviruses (including preliminary information on the COVID-19 virus) may persist on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days.
• This may vary under different conditions (e.g. type of surface, temperature or humidity of the environment).

Cleaning

Health Canada has published a list of hard surface disinfectants that are likely to be effective for use against coronavirus (COVID-19).

Although they do not claim to kill viruses such as COVID-19, cleaners can play a role in helping limit the transfer of microorganisms.

Health Canada recommends cleaning often, using either regular household cleaners or diluted bleach (1 part bleach to 9 parts water) the following high-touch surfaces:

• toys
• toilets
• phones
• electronics
• door handles
• bedside tables
• television remotes

Is it safe to receive a package from any area where COVID-19 has been reported?

Yes. The likelihood of an infected person contaminating commercial goods is low and the risk of catching the virus that causes COVID-19 from a package that has been moved, travelled, and exposed to different conditions and temperature is also low.

Physical distancing is a public health measure that can delay and decrease the number of cases of COVID-19 over time so as not to overwhelm our healthcare system. 

The province of Ontario has set indoor and outdoor gathering limits. In all cases, individuals are required to maintain physical distancing of at least 2 metres with people from outside their households or social circles.

Social circles

The province is pausing social circles and advising that all Ontarians allow close contact only with people living in their own household and maintain two metres physical distancing from everyone else. 

When home isn't safe

For many survivors of domestic violence and seniors who experience abuse, staying home may not be the safest option. If home is not safe for you, please contact Optimism Place (24hr service women's shelter): 1-800-265-8598/519-271-5550, Emily Murphy Centre 1-888-826-8117/519-273-7350, or Huron County Women’s Shelter and Second Stage Housing and Counseling Services at 1-800-265-5506/ 519-524-6245. If you are in immediate danger, please call 911.