The Town of The Blue Mountains would like to inform the public that in consultation with the Grey Bruce Public Health Unit and the County of Grey, Mayor Soever intends to rescind the State of Emergency on Wednesday, March 16 at 12:01 a.m.
“After two long years, this is an important step forward,” explains Mayor Alar Soever. “I want to thank everyone who has helped our community get this far, and who made the necessary sacrifices and followed all public health advice. It is the Canadian way to pull together for the greater good of all, especially the most vulnerable in our community. We may yet face challenges ahead, but the lifting of the State of Emergency is an important step in reopening and starting down the road to recovery.”
Declared on March 24, 2020 in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the State of Emergency declaration aligned the Town with the Province, granting the Mayor the authority to take such action as considered necessary to implement the Town’s emergency plan.
The decision to rescind the State of Emergency declaration was made during the Town’s Emergency Control Group meeting on Friday, March 11, 2022. Following the end of the State of Emergency, the Town’s Emergency Control Group will be deactivated. The Senior Management Team will continue to meet as needed to monitor COVID-19 to ensure the safe and continued operation of Town services and facilities. In addition, at the March 14, 2022 meeting, Council will also consider rescinding the Town’s Mandatory Face Covering By-law 2020-77, to align with the ending on the Provincial mask mandate.
Ending the State of Emergency on Wednesday, after the Council meeting scheduled for March 14, 2022 and the Committee of the Whole meeting scheduled for March 15, 2022 will allow these two meetings to continue to be conducted under the State of Emergency meeting procedures, and negate the need for last-minute procedural and logistical adjustments. Following the end of the State of Emergency, standard meeting procedures will resume according to the Town’s Procedural By-law.
For more information, please contact:
Alar Soever
Mayor
(519) 599-3131 ext. 400