COVID-19 Update #22 – Stage 1 Community Re-Opening

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This notice is available in PDF format here

  • Date: May 20, 2021
  • From: COVID-19 Task Team and HFN Council
  • Re: COVID-19 Update #22 – Stage 1 Community Re-Opening

Aanii Hiawatha Citizens, Residents, and OSM Residents,

On May 21, 2021 Hiawatha First Nation will begin its Stage 1 Community Re-Opening process. This re-opening will permit visitors to the Community to be able to access the businesses.  All other areas will remain closed to the public. Community Security will remain in place.

Re-Opening to Visitors:

Craft Shops and Cigarette Shops:

  • ● Will open for their regular business hours. Will continue to strictly follow the safety measures laid out in their business safety plans and will limit the number of people to 2 or less customers in their place of business.

ORRS Store:

  • ● Will be open from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. 7 days a week, until further notice. Will continue to strictly follow the safety measures laid out in their business safety plans and will limit the number of people to 1 customer at the gas till end and 3 or less customers at the store till end.

ORRS Restaurant:

  • ● Only take-out/curbside pick-up and delivery is permitted at this time. As soon as the province opens restaurants for in-door/patio dining, we will follow the same opening measures. Will continue to strictly follow the safety measures laid out in their business safety plans.

Administration and Health Offices and Youth Centre:

  • ● Will re-open on June 7, 2021, appointments will need to be booked if you need to meet with Administration and/or Health Staff.
  • ● Will continue to strictly follow the safety measures laid out in the organization’s safety plans.

HFN Offices, ORRS and the Business Owners do have a COVID-19 health and safety plan in place and these measures will be strictly followed. Those who access the businesses will need to comply with the health and safety measures in place or they will not be served and asked to leave.

Stay-at-Home Order:

The Ontario “Stay at Home” order remains in place until at least June 2, 2021 and the following restrictions will remain in place for Hiawatha:

  • ● Do not have anyone in your home except those who reside in the same household
  • ● No gatherings outside your home, other than those with whom you live
  • ● Those who live alone may join only one other household and no other person can join this household. The person joining a household must be from within the Peterborough Public Health catchment area
  • ● People should stay home to the fullest extent possible, except for essential purposes only (ie: health care appointments and medication, grocery shopping, child care, walking pets when required, outdoor physical activity and work, where it is not possible to work from home, or emergency purposes
  • ● Outside organized public events and gatherings are not permitted at this time, except for weddings, funerals, ceremonies, religious services, etc. with approval from the HFN COVID-19 Task Team. The approved gathering are limited to 10 people with physical distancing measures in place, if physical distancing is unable to happen, mask wearing will be mandatory.
  • ● Indoor organized public events and gatherings are not permitted at this time.

Remaining Closed to Visitors/General Public:

  • ● Boat Launch
    • ● Parks/Playground (HFN Citizens only and 1 Family at a time). Please ensure to wipe of playground equipment after each use for the next family.
    • ● Beach
    • ● Open lakefront spaces
    • ● Ball Diamond
    • ● Tent and Trailer Park (2021 season)

Enforcement:

  • ● Hiawatha Police and OPP will be monitoring the Community and Visitors
  • ● Failure to follow restrictions will result in fines.

If you notice restrictions not being followed or if unknown vehicles/person’s come to your property, please call the OPP Line at 1-888-310-1122 to report. For emergency services call 911.

Programming:

Programming through the month of June will continue as drop-offs and/or pick-ups of supplies.

COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols:

  • ● Practice physical distancing of at least two metres (6ft) with those outside your household.
  • ● Wear a face covering when physical distancing is a challenge or where it is mandatory to do so.
  • ● Face coverings should be tightly fitted to cover the nose, mouth and chin.
  • ● Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly. Use hand sanitizer when soap and water is not available.

Approximately 80% of the Adult population has been vaccinated however we still need to have our youth vaccinated and/or reach herd immunity. We currently have a youth vaccine clinic scheduled for June 12, 2021 for 12 – 17 years of age.  Although businesses will be open to visitors, we ask that everyone continue to remain vigilant in your measures to keep yourselves, your families and our Community safe.

As we move forward with our Stage 1 Re-Opening, we will continue to monitor our Community and the Provincial guidelines. We will keep you informed of any changes.

If you have any questions or require further information regarding this update please contact Chief Laurie Carr or Administrator, Trisha Shearer or Health Manager, Tina Howard at 705-295-4421.

“Our Citizens and Community remain our first priority and we will work to mitigate risks for best possible outcomes moving forward through the COVID-19 pandemic.”