Elgin County Declaration of State of Emergency
March 21, 2020 at 11:00 am, Elgin County Warden, along with Mayors from the City of St. Thomas, Municipality of Bayham, Municipality of Central Elgin, Township of Southwold, Municipality of Dutton Dunwich and the Township of Malahide each declared a local State of Emergency in their municipalities as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic developments in our region.
Declaring an emergency affords our municipalities opportunities to further protect the health and safety of all individuals, families and businesses as well as the vulnerable populations that we serve. This declaration also aligns with the Government of Ontario’s Declaration of Emergency made on March 17, 2020.
Municipalities across the County Elgin, including the Municipality of West Elgin and the Town of Aylmer both of which made similar declarations earlier this week, as well as the City of St. Thomas are working together to protect the health and well-being of our residents. Our collective priorities are: the health, safety and well-being of the public and our employees; and maintaining essential services that our residents rely on.
The declaration also supports Public Health recommendations that reinforce the importance of acting now to help flatten the curve of spread of COVID-19, including:
• Avoid gatherings
• Practice adequate social distancing
• Wash your hands for 15-20 seconds with soap and use hand sanitizer
• Cough or sneeze into your arm
• If you have any symptoms, self-monitor and self-isolate, and contact a health care professional if symptoms persist
• If you have travelled outside Canada recently, ensure you self-isolate for 14 days
Residents are encouraged to look to health officials for information about COVID-19. Locally, this is Southwestern Public Health .
As a reminder, many municipal services are impacted by the COVID-19 developments. Residents are encouraged to visit municipal websites for more information on service availability.
By-Law 20-38 – Face Covering By-Law
At a Special Meeting held on August 6, 2020 County Council enacted a by-law to make face coverings mandatory in enclosed public spaces in Elgin County. For more information and a copy of the By-law visit www.elgincounty.ca/masks
County of Elgin Administration Building
As the COVID-19 situation develops, we are committed to doing our part in helping to slow the spread of the virus in our communities. The County of Elgin Administration Building is limiting unrestricted public access to tenants only. For more information, please visit here.
County of Elgin Libraries, Heritage Centre & Archives
Elgin County Libraries are open for curbside pick up services. The Elgin County Archives and Elgin County Museum are open but following strict public health guidelines and operating under reduced visitor capacity.
County of Elgin Homes
The County of Elgin Homes, under the guidance of the Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams, is restricting access to all non-essential visitors to the home, essential visitors are identified as those who have a resident who is dying or very ill. An on-site Manager or Registered Nursing staff will identify those residents who qualify to receive visitors. Visitors identified as essential, as well as all staff, will be screened upon entering the home. If an individual does not pass the active screening for COVID-19, they will not be permitted entry to the home and it will be suggested that they follow up with public health or their health care practitioner. For more information, please visit here.
POA Court Proceedings
The Provincial Offences Administration Building will resume services on July 6, 2020. In-person ticket payment options will be available during regular business hours. For more information, visit here.
The Chief Justice of Ontario has ordered that: All Provincial Offences Act matters scheduled from Monday, March 16, 2020 through to and including Friday, May 29, 2020 will be adjourned and rescheduled to a later date. If you have a matter scheduled during this time, you do not need to attend court. A notice of your new court date will be sent to you by mail to the address on file with the court. If you have any questions, please contact the POA office by email: poa@elgin.ca or by phone: 519-631-1460 x300. For additional information in regards to rescheduled appearances and making payments, please visit here.
Service of Documents in Any Legal Proceeding (Excluding Proceedings in St. Thomas Provincial Offences Court)
To arrange for service of documents in any legal proceeding in which the Corporation of the County of Elgin is a Party (excluding proceedings in St. Thomas Provincial Offences Court), please send email to County Solicitor Stephen Gibson at: sgibson@elgin.ca.
Service of Documents on Elgin County Prosecutor in any Part I or II Proceedings in St. Thomas Provincial Offences Court
To arrange for service of documents upon Elgin County Prosecutor in any Part I or II proceedings in St. Thomas Provincial Offences Court, please send email to Elgin County Prosecutor Jack Huber at: jhuber@ELGIN.ca.
Additional Resources:
Elgin County Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information
Elgin County Resources:
Find the media release here: County of Elgin Beachgoers Are Reminded to Continue to Be Vigilant
Find the poster here: Port Burwell Museum Project
Find the media release here: Media Release: County of Elgin Beachgoers Are Reminded to Remain Vigilant
Find the poster here: SWPH Back to Elgin’s Beaches Safely
Find the media release here: Elgin County Library Begins Curbside Pickup Service June 29
Find the memo here: SWPH Welcomes Back Elgin Beach-Goers
Find the infographic here: Back to the Beach Safely
Find the chart here: SWPH Flow Chart for COVID-19 Advice & Complaints in Elgin/St. Thomas
Find the memo here: Childcare Reopening in St. Thomas/Elgin
Find the media release here: Elgin County Beaches Preparing to Open as Soon as June 22
Find more information here: COVID-19 Universal Masking How-To
Find web link here: STEGH COVID-19 Assessment Centre Extends Hours
Find the listing here: COVID-19 Emergency Food Access in Elgin/St. Thomas
Find more information here: Support Elgin: Local Businesses
Find the image here: Good News Alert from Karen Vecchio
Find the infographics here: Where to get tested in Elgin County & What does a negative test mean?
Find the news release here: All Elgin County Beaches Remain Closed to the Public
Find the web link here: UW News Release & UW Elgin Middlesex Emergency Community Support Fund
Find the media release here: St. Thomas-Elgin Childcare
Find the press release here: County Flags Fly at Half Mast in Honour of Snowbirds Team Member
Find this press release here: Parks Closure
Southwestern Public Health, Ministry of Health & Other Resources:
Follow these provincial guidelines if you choose to celebrate Halloween this year.
Ontario Limits the Size of Unmonitored and Private Social Gatherings across Entire Province. Click here for details.
Please click here to access SWPH’s COVID-19 School Support.
SWPH has issued a Letter of Instruction to Elgin County Employers stating that all persons entering or remaining in an enclosed public space must wear a face covering.
What you need to know about SWPH Class Order Section 22: Self Isolation – Click Here.
Find the poster here: SWPH: How to Build Your Social Circle
Find the image here: SWPH How to Be Caring in Stage 3
Find the report here: SWPH COVID-19 Current Surveillance Report Summary
Find the web link here: Ontario Government: More Regions Moving into Stage 3
Find the memo here: SWPH Guidance for Extreme Heat During COVID-19
Find the presentation here: SWPH Keeping Businesses Safe During COVID-19
Find the web link here: Ontario Government: Nearly All Businesses and Public Spaces to Reopen in Stage 3
Find the web link here: Government of Canada: Statement from Chief Public Health Officer
Find the report summary here: SWPH COVID-19 Current Surveillance Report Summary
Find the presentation here: SWPH High-Risk Areas Summary Report
Find the updated memo here: SWPH Guidance for Outdoor Patio Use & Food Premises
Find the memo here: SWPH Order Section 22 Class Agricultural Operations
Find the fact sheet here: SWPH COVID-19 Class Order Fact Sheet
Find the infographic here: Current Surveillance Report Summary
Find the web link here: Ontario Government Newsroom: Launches Online Training to Promote Safe Workplaces
Find the memo here: SWPH COVID-19 Public Health Principles for Public Spaces
Find the poster here: Public Health Canada: Celebrate Canada Day Safely
Find the report here: Public Health Canada: Update on COVID-19 in Canada
Find the memo here: SWPH Guidance for Home Alone & Child-Minding
Find the report here: SWPH COVID-19 Current Surveillance Report Summary
Find the web link here: New SWPH COVID-19 Call Centre
Find the memo here: SWPH Workplace Outbreak Management
Find the YouTube video here: SWPH Video: How to Put On and Take Off a Cloth Mask
Find the poster here: SWPH Safe Play Advice for Parents
Find the web link here: Ontario Government Extends Declaration of Emergency Until July 15
Find the report here: SWPH High-Risk Areas Summary Report
Find the documents here: SWPH Guidance for Splash Pads & Health Principles for Public Spaces
Find the web link here: Ontario Government: Toronto & Peel Region Moving to Stage 2
Find the web link here: Ontario Government Extends Emergency Order Until June 30
Find the document here: SWPH Guidance for Personal Service Settings and FAQ for Personal Service Settings
Find the report here: SWPH High-Risk Areas Summary Report
Find the memos here: SWPH Guidance for Food Premise Outdoor Patio Use, Hair Salons, Tattoo Parlours& Office Environments
Find this Phase 2 information here: Ontario Government: Additional Businesses & Services to Reopen This Week
Find the web link here: SWPH COVID-19 Guidance for Public Washrooms
Find the web link here: Ontario Government Eases Restrictions on Wedding & Funeral Services
Find the memo here: SWPH COVID-19 Guidance for Yard & Garage Sales
Find the infographic here: SWPH How to Wear a Mask Properly
Find the presentation here: SWPH High-Risk COVID-19 Areas in Canada
Find the video here: SWPH COVID-19 Infection Control for Workplaces
Find the news release here: Ontario Government: Beaches and Campsites to Open at Parks
Find the web link here: Reopening Ontario
Find the web link here: Ontario Government Permits More Businesses and Services to Reopen in Coming Days
Find the checklist here: SWPH COVID-19 Checklist for Workplaces
Find the web link here: Ontario Government Extends Emergency Order Until June 30
Find the poster here: SWPH Physical Distancing Poster Spanish Language
Find the report here: High-Risk Areas in Canada for COVID-19
Find the document here: SWPH Mixing of Chlorine Bleach for Disinfecting
Find the document here: SWPH Managing Patients of COVID-19 at Home
Find the infographic here: SWPH You have been tested. Now what?
Find the infographic here: SWPH COVID-19 Surveillance Report Summary
Find the web link here: WHO Coronavirus Myths
Find the web link here: SWPH Information for Workplaces & Employers
Find the web link here: Ontario Government Extends Emergency Order Until June 9
Find the reference document here: Ministry of Health Reference Document for COVID-19 Symptoms
Find the infographic here: SWPH Getting Tested for COVID-19
Find the report here: SWPH High-Risk Areas Report
Find the sign here: SWPH Virtual Visits
Find the article here: SWPH Expects COVID-19 to Be Our New Normal
Find the infographic here: SWPH COVID-19 Weekly Report Summary
Find the memo here: SWPH Guidance for Day Camps
Find the web link here: Ontario Government Helps People Get Back to Work
Find the news release here: SWPH COVID-19 Outbreak Identified in Ingersoll
Find the infographic here: SWPH Should You Wear Disposable Gloves in the Community?
Find the report here: Ontario Health PPE Use
Find this report here: Ontario Health Optimizing the Supply of PPE
Find the link to this infographic here: SWPH COVID-19 Current Surveillance Summary
Find the Government of Ontario newsroom releases here: Emergency Orders Extended & Schools Remain Closed for Rest of School Year
Questions?
Get answers by filling out the form below.