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.