*Page Updated: January 27, 2021
The following page has been provided as a resource to residents and business owners regarding COVID-19.
For details about the current status of COVID-19 in our community, and ways you can protect yourself, visit the Grey Bruce Public Health website.
To report an Emergency Order violation, please contact The Town By-Law Department by calling 1-519-599-3131 ext. 249
This section contains the most recent Town news, updates and press releases as related to COVID-19.
To view all press releases and notices issued by the Town, please visit the Newsroom.
Press Release | Date Issued |
Notice- Town of The Blue Mountains Declares COVID-19 Outbreak |
January 1, 2021 |
Notice- Closure of Town Facilities and Operational Update in Response to Provincial Shutdown | December 22, 2020 |
December 17, 2020 | |
Notice- Mandatory Face Covering By-law to be considered for approval on December 14, 2020 |
December 11, 2020 |
Notice- Province Moves Grey-Bruce into COVID-19 Yellow Stage |
November 25, 2020 |
Notice- Town Seeks Public Feedback for Proposed Mandatory Face Covering By-law |
November 19, 2020 |
This section contains all COVID-19 press releases issued by the Town of The Blue Mountains.
To view all press releases and notices issued by the Town, please visit the Newsroom.
To view press releases issued by the Grey Bruce Public Health Unit, please visit the Public Health website.
Direct Link: https://www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca/About-Us/News-Releases
- January 22, 2021: Direct video link: https://youtu.be/MeI-srcLdj8
- January 15, 2021: Direct video link: https://youtu.be/OiszENQwliU
- January 8, 2021: Direct video link: https://youtu.be/sSNszeim4RE
- December 18, 2020: Direct video link: https://youtu.be/D55ZMH3BRGE
- December 11, 2020: Direct video link: https://youtu.be/QU4src9KTzM
- December 4, 2020: Direct video link: https://youtu.be/DXz9wN5-t98
- November 27, 2020: Direct video link: https://youtu.be/JLFDe4b1b0s
- November 20, 2020: Direct video link: https://youtu.be/t2w-2qRFAzk
- November 13, 2020: Direct video link: https://youtu.be/3KIfxyS8lyk
- November 6, 2020: Direct video link: https://youtu.be/2rG4CxQu0S8
- October 30, 2020: Direct video link: https://youtu.be/XoTBNSFU7vA
- October 23, 2020: Direct video link: https://youtu.be/_v3R3AojaOY
- October 16, 2020: Direct video link: https://youtu.be/Q60AZUOOy3Q
- October 9, 2020: Direct video link: https://youtu.be/pym8P3ATDHE
- October 2, 2020: Direct video link: https://youtu.be/CpSE5SEymeY
- September 25, 2020: Direct video link: https://youtu.be/RDq748qqwgA
- September 18, 2020: Direct video link: https://youtu.be/XHU3L-OwyGU
- September 11, 2020: Direct video link: https://youtu.be/4ZYC2NR7-SA
- September 4, 2020: Direct video link: https://youtu.be/59dqWQ_Dz-o
- August 16, 2020: Direct video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSqagN6jxc0
- August 7, 2020: Direct video link: https://youtu.be/C379uBTOM1c
- July 31, 2020: Direct video link: https://youtu.be/ycfxQQSyKeY
- July 23, 2020: Direct video link: https://youtu.be/318Zl5bb98I
- July 17, 2020: Direct video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SENh-_42n4
- July 9, 2020: Direct video link: https://youtu.be/j5xgXWdxEVU
- July 3, 2020: Direct video link: https://youtu.be/M_2svulDaHc
- June 26, 2020: Direct video link: https://youtu.be/uBJe0pk-D0Q
- June 19, 2020: Direct video link: https://youtu.be/0O0AvW8uNxs
- June 12, 2020: Direct video link: https://youtu.be/VoRSbn8IlxA?list=PLAqnWwESAu-U5I36-DwGgOpYLhgWp-nZB
- June 5, 2020: Direct video link: https://youtu.be/iWMRXjLpbyo?list=PLAqnWwESAu-U5I36-DwGgOpYLhgWp-nZB
- May 29, 2020: Direct video link: https://youtu.be/VA2C91gWULI
- May 22, 2020: Direct video link: https://youtu.be/T0mMyjwsQhE
- May 15, 2020: Direct video link: https://youtu.be/1YADdZ-SODU
- May 8, 2020: Direct video link: https://youtu.be/C3uXZkk2zGI
- May 1, 2020: Direct video link: https://youtu.be/WoRtoKzFBpU
- April 24, 2020: Direct video link: https://youtu.be/OZtM687bAoo
Dear Citizens,
Our Town is faced with an unprecedented challenge as we face down the coronavirus disease 2019 “COVID-19” pandemic. To date, we have seen very few cases in our area with 40 cases in Grey and Bruce Counties, 10 of whom have recovered, and 9 in Collingwood/Clearview Township, 5 of whom have recovered. Given the extremely limited amount of testing (only slightly more than 500 tests in all of Grey Bruce), this does not mean it isn’t here. It likely is. COVID-19 is an extremely secretive, very contagious disease. A person can have COVID-19 and be contagious while not having any symptoms. The consequences when it spreads through a community are catastrophic. One only needs to look at what is happening in New York, Italy and Spain.
Therefore, even though we have very few identified cases in our area, we must be vigilant and not allow it to spread throughout our Town. The COVID -19 virus cannot spread unless we spread it ourselves by carrying it from person to person. It is extremely important that everyone follows the physical distancing and self-isolation guidelines, as well as the orders issued by the provincial and federal government. The battle to keep COVID-19 from spreading through our community is one we must all contribute too. If we all do our part, we can stop this thing.
We have a truly exceptional community, which has come together like never before in fighting COVID-19. People are volunteering with food delivery, sanitizing shopping carts at Foodland and respecting Foodland’s request to limit the number of shoppers to one per family. Most people are also observing the social distancing and other advice and orders issued by the Provincial and Federal Governments.
Unfortunately, very few people have decided to ignore these orders. This is reckless and irresponsible behaviour, which puts the safety of our community at risk. One person acting irresponsibly could spread COVID-19 throughout our community.
Provincial offences officers and municipal law enforcement officers are now authorized to enforce all emergency orders made under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA).
Any residents who are aware of a violation of any Emergency Orders should contact The Town By-Law Department by calling 1-519-599-3131 ext. 249. We all have a duty to protect our Town from the spread of COVID-19.
Details of the provincial orders can be found at: https://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2020/03/ontario-extends-emergency-declaration-to-stop-the-spread-of-covid-19.html
The Town has taken a number of steps to sustain its essential operations and mitigate the effect of COVID-19 on our citizens and businesses.
Further details on the above initiatives and other COVID-19 information can be found on COVID-19 page on the Town’s website: www.thebluemountains.ca/covid-19.cfm
I recognize that battle against COVID-19 has disrupted our lives and is difficult, both emotionally and financially. So far, we have all pulled together and succeeded, and I have every confidence we will continue to do so. A big thank you to all of our First Responders, Volunteers, and all who have done their part in the fight to keep COVID-19 from spreading in our community. Success will require a diligent effort from all of us working together. We have a truly exceptional community. Let’s keep pulling together and stay safe.
If you require assistance or for more information please contact the Town at 519-599-3131 or by visiting www.thebluemountains.ca
Mayor Alar Soever
As of March 25, 2020, Mayor Alar Soever has declared a State of Emergency for the Town of The Blue Mountains in accordance with Ontario’s Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. The decision was made in conjunction with the Towns leadership team and Emergency Control Group in response to the impacts of COVID-19 on the community.
What does "State of Emergency Mean?
An emergency is defined under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act as “a situation, or an impending situation that constitutes a danger of major proportions that could result in serious harm to persons or substantial damage to property and that is caused by the forces of nature, a disease or other health risk, an accident or an act whether intentional or otherwise” [Section 1, definition of an emergency].
Under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, only the head of council of a municipality (or his or her designate) and the Lieutenant Governor in Council or the Premier have the authority to declare an emergency. The Premier, the head of council, as well as a municipal council, have the authority to terminate an emergency declaration [Sections 4 (1), (2), (4)].
The declaration of an emergency provides the Head of Council with certain tools to address the situation including, but not limited to, those listed below.
General and Government:
Legal:
Operational:
Economic and Financial:
This section contains an overview of the status of Town operations as related to COVID-19. The Towns leadership team is meeting regularly to assess the situation. The Town of The Blue Mountains would like to assure residents and visitors that all critical and essential municipal services will continue to operate as normal.
All Town departments remain operational and Town staff are available by phone or email during regular business hours (Monday - Friday from 8:30am - 4:30pm). Town Hall has re-opened during regular business hours for simple transactional matters. Customers are reminded that for in-depth service needs, such as planning services, building services, applying for a marriage licence and the commissioning of documents, appointments are required. Appointments will need to be scheduled in advance by contacting the appropriate department. In addition, a variety of services are available online 24/7 and can be accessed by visiting the online services page on the Town website.
The following list highlights the status of municipal services at this time:
Residents are reminded that a variety of Town services are available online.
Online services include:
To access online services, please visit: www.thebluemountains.ca/online-services.cfm
The Town is working with government agencies, industry partners and local business leaders to be able to effectively identify actions to support businesses in response to the economic impacts of COVID-19.
The following section contains links to various business resources and financial support information:
A resource that summarizes the available government economic response initiatives can be found by visiting: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan.html
The Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses has launched a Small Business Help Centre to help business owners understand the support programs that are available: https://www.cfib-fcei.ca/en/small-business-resources-dealing-covid-19
Details regarding Provincial program are available by visiting: https://www.ontario.ca/page/stopping-spread-covid-19
Details regarding Federal programs are available by visiting: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan/covid19-businesses.html
At the March 30, 2020 Special Meeting, Council endorsed the establishment of a Community Recovery Task Force. The Task Force will be responsible for coordination and implementation of recovery and relief efforts including the consideration, development and implementation of programs to support and assist the Community and its stakeholders in reinvigorating our local and regional economies throughout the COVID – 19 Pandemic and its recovery process. The Task Force is not a Committee of Council.
For more information on the Task Force, visit the dedicated webpage.
Everyone should practice good basic hygiene as a preventative measure to protect against the novel coronavirus and other viruses in this cold and flu season.
For details about the current status of COVID-19, and ways you can protect yourself, visit the Grey Bruce Public Health website.
Shawn Everitt
Chief Administrative Officer
519-599-3131 x234
Tim Hendry
Manager of Communications & Economic Development
519-599-3131 x282