COVID-19 Update #24 – Stage 2 Community Re-Opening

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The PDF version of this notice is available here

  • Date: June 30, 2021
  • From: COVID-19 Task Team and HFN Council
  • Re: COVID-19 Update # 24 – Stage 2 Community Re-Opening

Aanii Hiawatha Citizens, Residents and OSM Residents,

The Ontario Government announced it will move into their Step 2 Re-Opening plan on Wednesday, June 30, 2021.  The following Ontario Step 2 plan includes, but is not limited to:

  • ● Outdoor social gatherings and organized public events for up to 25 people
  • ● Indoor social gatherings and organized public events for up to 5 people
  • ● Outdoor dining for up to 6 people per table
  • ● Essential and other select retail permitted at 50% capacity
  • ● Non-essential retail capacity at 25%
  • ● Stores in shopping malls open, with restrictions
  • ● Larger indoor religious services, rites, or ceremonies, including wedding services and funeral services at 25% capacity
  • ● Outdoor religious services, rites, or ceremonies, including wedding services and funeral services, capped at the number of people that can maintain a physical distance of two metres
  • ● Overnight camps
  • ● Personal care services where face coverings can be worn at all times at 25% capacity
  • ● Outdoor fitness classes are capped at the number of people who can maintain 3 metres of distance
  • ● Public libraries permitted at 25% capacity
  • ● Outdoor meeting and event spaces at 25% capacity
  • ● Outdoor amusement and water parks at 25% capacity
  • ● Outdoor sports games, leagues and events at 25% capacity
  • ● Outdoor cinemas, performing arts, live music events and attractions at 25% capacity
  • ● Outdoor horse racing and motor speedways at 25% capacity

As we, and the rest of the province begin to slowly open, this does not mean personal precautions should not be taken.  We must remain vigilant and keep those safe who are vulnerable due to potential COVID-19 complications safe.

Even though vaccinations are well underway, we need to protect our Community by having strict health and safety measures in place, as all our children are not yet vaccinated, nor some of our Citizens.

Along with Ontario’s Guidelines that are in place under their Step 2 Re-Opening Plan, Hiawatha also has the following Guidelines in place.

Lessees:

The fact that our Community and the rest of the province are slowly moving into Step 2 of re-opening plan does not mean personal precautions should not be taken. When you or your family consider coming to Hiawatha, please remember the risks involved and the importance of keeping those who are vulnerable due to potential COVID-19 complications safe. Please note that even though vaccinations are well under way, we are still diligently protecting our community and upon re-entry strict rules will be in place.

  • ● Limit attendance to ONLY household members from their primary residence

ORRS Restaurant (Opened June 11 for Outdoor Dining):

  • ● Will be open for outside dining. The health and safety measures laid out in their business safety plan will be in force and strictly followed. Current guidelines include, but not limited to:
  • ● Only 6 people to a table unless they are all from the same household
  • ● No indoor dining

Camp Cherokee (Opened June 11 for Guests):

  • ● Will be open to guests. The health and safety measures laid out in their business safety plan will be in force and strictly followed.
  • ● Current guidelines include, but not limited to:
  • ● Guests will be allowed to access the boat launch and ORRS Store and Restaurant
  • ● Guests will not be permitted to use other public areas (all other areas are remaining closed to the public)

Administration and Health Offices and Youth Centre:

  • ● Re-opened 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 must comply with the health and safety measures in place or they will not be served and asked to leave.

Remaining Closed to Visitors/General Public:

  • ● Boat Launch (Open to Camp Cherokee Guests and Seasonal Lessees)
  • ● Parks/Playground (HFN Citizens only and up to 10 people total at a time). Please ensure to wipe of playground equipment after each use.
  • ● Beach (HFN Citizens only)
  • ● Open lakefront spaces
  • ● Ball Diamond (HFN Citizens only)
  • ● Tent and Trailer Park (2021 season)
  • ● Serpent Mounds (HFN Citizens only)

Enforcement:

  • ● Hiawatha Police and OPP will be monitoring the Community and 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 July will transition into small in-person or outdoor groups in compliance with the provincial stage 2 re-opening.  Porch drop offs and/or pick ups of supplies will continue and where possible arrangements for scheduled pick ups at the L.I.F.E. Services Centre will be permitted. 

  • ● Deep Tissue Massage and Natural Health Care will resume in the month of July.
  • ● Youth Centre will continue to operate under a new summer hours schedule with existing group sizes.  Participation in activities outside of the First Nation will not be taking place.

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.

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.”