Doug Ford – State of Emergency

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is declaring a state of emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  He says this is an unprecedented time in our history and this decision was not made lightly.

Ford says the order bans public events of over 50 people, including parades, events and services within places of worship until March 31.

Effective immediately, the province has ordered the closure of all facilities providing indoor recreation programs, all public libraries, all private schools, all licensed childcare centres, all theatres, cinemas and concert venues, and all bars and restaurants except to provide takeout food and delivery.

Ford says this is not a provincial shut down and the majority businesses won’t be affected by the order.

Essential services including pharmacies and grocery stores will continue to operate.

 

COVID-19 – 35 Probable Cases

COVID-19 has arrived in the region…Hastings Prince Edward Public Health has announced there are 35 probable cases of COVID-19…most of them related to travel.

KFL&A Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kieran Moore, says there were no laboratory confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Kingston on Monday.  Moore did not say if there were any probable cases in Kingston.

The COVID-19 testing centre at Hotel Dieu Hospital posted on social media that it had been a busy day on Monday…but gave no other information.

 

Distancing

The only way we can slow down a spike in cases is to avoid contact with other people.

With the fact the coronavirus has arrived in the region…it is more important than ever to listen to public health officials.

The message is this…stay at home whenever possible and work at home if possible…do not go visiting – even if its relatives…cancel all travel plans.

Health officials say you can go out to get groceries or other supplies…but when you do…keep a distance of at least two meters…that’s about two shopping cart lengths and avoid anywhere where someone is coughing or sneezing.

And… if you have returned to Canada from outside the country…you need to be in isolation for 14 days.

 

COVID – 19 Kingston and Area

The city of Kingston has closed all of its recreation facilities including Artillery Park…the Cataraqui Community Centre…Centre 70…INVISTA Centre…Memorial Centre and Rideau Heights Community Centre.

 

  • Kingston Transit is scaling back its service. Express bus routes will only operate every half hour starting today.
  • The Kingston Humane Society has announced it is closing its shelter to the general public. The shelter will continue to care for animals and adoptions will take place on an appointment-only basis.
  • North Frontenac Township has announced its offices, community halls and libraries are closed until further notice.
  • South Frontenac is closing all township facilities but its main office will remain open.
  • The Frontenac Arena is also closed.
  • Both Queen’s University and St. Lawrence College are asking all students to go home.  Classes will only be held online for all students at both the university and college.
  • The Screening Room in Downtown Kingston announced yesterday it is closing.  Both Landmark and Cineplex are closing all of their movie theatres.
  • The Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority has cancelled Maple madness and all other public activities. It says it is leaving its trails open so people can enjoy the physical and mental health benefits of being out in nature.

 

WestJet – COVID-19

WestJet has announced that it is pulling the plug on all commercial operations for international and trans-border flights — for 30 days.  Beginning on Monday of next week…WestJet will no longer offer tickets for the period in question. The airline says after flights are grounded it will be working with Ottawa on rescue and repatriation flights.

 

Feds – Action

Canada’s chief public health officer says anyone returning to the country from abroad needs to go into self-isolation for 14 days.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced the border is being closed to everyone from outside of Canada…except the U.S.  People from the U-S who come to Canada will have to self-isolate for 14 days.  In addition, anyone — including Canadian citizens — showing symptoms won’t be permitted on flights to this country.

 

Assunta Gerretsen

The mother of Kingston’s member of parliament is the second person diagnosed with the coronavirus after being airlifted from a cruise ship in San Diego last week.

Mark Gerretsen announced on social media yesterday that his mother, Assunta, is suffering only mild effects from the virus – but it means that both Assunta and John Gerretsen will remain in quarantine for a longer period of time.