MEDIA RELEASE
March 17, 2020
Town of Deseronto COVID-19 Planning and Communications Update
Deseronto, ON – The Town of Deseronto continues to monitor the Novel Coronavirus(COVID-19) pandemic as issued by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Council and Staff are working together to implement measures to protect the general population and do our part to slow the spread of this virus. We have an opportunity to support each other during this time of crisis.
Town Council held a special meeting on the evening of March 16, 2020 to discuss next steps. The Hastings and Prince Edward County Health Unit has advised that they are in full response emergency measures mode. The Town of Deseronto wishes to release the following information to the community:
Due to the concerns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Deseronto Town Hall will be closed to the public from Tuesday, March 17th to Sunday, April 5th, as a precautionary measure to limit public contact. Although our facilities are closed, staff will continue to work to ensure the operation of the municipality during this time. We will be monitoring the situation and will provide frequent updates to the municipal website and Facebook page.
Municipal staff are available by calling the municipal office at (613) 396-2440 during business hours. In-person business will only be conducted by appointment as deemed necessary. Staff will continue to respond to calls, emails and to carry on the business of the Municipality to the best of their ability. We encourage residents to use our online resources.
Tax bill and Water bill payments can be made through telephone or internet banking as well as being dropped through the mail slot by the Town Hall door. Please note that all regularly scheduled pre-authorized payments will be processed as usual.
Waste and Recycling services will continue as per the regular schedule. In light of the decision to close the Town Hall to the public, Council made the decision to allow one untagged bag of garbage per residence, per week, from March 17 to April 3, 2020. Please note tags will still be available at the local stores that provide them.
All Council and Committee meetings during the time period Monday, March 17th to Sunday, April 5th will be postponed.
All gatherings at Town facilities will be postponed until further notice
All events and rentals scheduled between March 17th and April 5th at the Deseronto Community Centre are cancelled at this time. If you have prepaid for an event please contact Town Hall to arrange for a refund.
The Deseronto Fitness Centre will be closed until April 6th, 2020. Any current and active memberships will be extended for an additional month.
The Deseronto Library Board has directed that a closure be put in place effective immediately. They hope to re-open Monday, April 6, 2020. Please follow the Deseronto Library Facebook page as they monitor the situation.
Deseronto Transit
As of March 16, 2020 Town Council has made the decision to suspend Transit services effective midnight of Wednesday, March 18th in order to allow users to find alternate arrangements.
Conclusion
Deseronto encourages social distancing measures as a way to minimize COVID-19 transmission in the community. This means minimizing close contact with others during the peak of this outbreak.
We recognize that this may cause inconveniences for some, but please be assured that Council is making the best decisions, based on the information that we are receiving, to stop the spread of this virus.