Covid-19

COVID-19 is a respiratory virus with pneumonia-like symptoms. COVID-19 has been declared a global pandemic. The Township of Springwater is taking precautions to help protect our vulnerable residents. Working with partners and agencies at all levels of government, the Township is monitoring the situation and responding accordingly.

The Province of Ontario has declared a State of Emergency and issued a stay-at-home order in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Residents are required to remain at home with exceptions for going to the grocery store or pharmacy, accessing health care services, exercise or essential work that can not be done remotely.

Municipal Impacts

Status of Facilities and Services

Facility or Service	Current Status	Notes
Facilities - Township Administration Centre	Closed	The Township Administration Centre is closed to the public. Staff are available to assist by email or telephone. Contact details are available at springwater.ca/contact
Facilities - Fire Halls	Closed	Staff are available to assist by email or telephone. Contact details are available at springwater.ca/contact Burn permits are available online at springwater.ca/burnpermit
Facilities – Community Halls	Closed	Not available for rentals at this time.
Facilities – Elmvale Arena	Closed	The Elmvale Arena has closed as of December 24 due to the province-wide lockdown. Additional details are available on the arena webpage.
Parks – General Use	Open	All parks and sports fields are open for spontaneous, non-organized play. Please practice physical distancing when using Township of Springwater outdoor spaces. All public washroom facilities are closed at this time.
Parks - Playgrounds	Open	Ensure 2 metres (6 feet) of distance between you and the closest person. If you cannot maintain 2 metres of distance, please wait your turn. Please be courteous and limit your time to 30 minute if others are waiting. Equipment is not sanitized.
Parks - Sports Fields and Courts	Closed	Closed for the season
Parks - Splash Pad	Closed	Closed for the season
Outdoor Rinks	Closed	All outdoor rinks are closed until further notice. These closures have been put in place in consultation with the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit and to comply with the new social gathering limits under the stay-at-home order. Visit the Outdoor Rinks page for additional information.

Face Coverings in Indoor Public Spaces

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit has advised that as of Monday, July 13, 2020, when you enter into a public indoor space a (e.g. grocery store, community centre, shopping mall, hair salon, library, place of worship, etc.), or use a public transit service in Simcoe Muskoka, you will be required to wear a face covering.

A face covering means a medical or non-medical mask or other face covering such as a bandana or scarf that covers the mouth and nose.

Children under the age of 2 or those under 5 who cannot be persuaded, are not required to wear a face covering, as well as individuals whose health or ability, or cultural or religious reasons would prevent them from doing so. No proof of exemption is required.

Additional information is available on the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit website.

Enforcement: Who to Call

Complaints about:	Who to Call:
Use of closed outdoor amenities and municipal property	Springwater By-law Enforcement Department E-mail By-law or 705-728-4784 x2101
Gatherings limits	OPP Non-emergency Line: 1-888-310-1122 or OPP Online Reporting Tool
Price gouging	Province of Ontario 1-800-889-9768
Business inquiries	Stop the Spread, Ontario Business Information Line 1-888-444-3659

Protecting Yourself

The following tips to protect yourself from COVID-19 are provided by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit:

wash your hands often with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizers
sneeze and cough into your sleeve
avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
avoid close contact with people who are sick
stay home if you are sick
clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
do not use surface disinfectant wipes to clean your hands
maintain social distancing; at least 2 metres distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing. When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.

Business Resources

County of Simcoe COVID-19 business survey and results

The County of Simcoe and municipal partners have conducted multiple business surveys throughout the pandemic to motor the progression of COVID-19 impacts on local businesses. The information collected through these surveys helps to determine how we can best support your businesses and advocate to various levels of government.

A third regional business survey to allow businesses the opportunity to share their input is currently underway. Like its predecessors, this survey will inform actions to enhance business support and feedback will be shared with upper levels of government to inform policy and program development.

County of Simcoe Business Survey - Part 3

Call for businesses - Ontario

The Province of Ontario is looking for businesses and organization that can help with the fight against COVID-19. They are currently seeking businesses who can supply emergency products and innovative solutions to support the response to the ongoing health pandemic.

Digital Main Street and Beyond

Digital Main Street and Beyond is a free program and service that helps businesses achieve digital transformation. The program is built around an online learning platform, structured training programs, and a Digital Service Squad; a team of highly trained professionals who help businesses grow and manage their operations through technology.

HeyLocal

HeyLocal is a Canadian marketplace that helps small and medium sized businesses by allowing people to shop local online with the same ease and convenience as retail giants online. Local businesses can be added to HeyLocal for free. More information on the program can be found in this webinar.

Province business support line

The province launched a toll-free line 1-888-444-3659 earlier this year, to provide support to Ontario businesses who have questions about the province's recent emergency order to close at-risk workplaces following recommendations by Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health.

Reopening and operating safely

The Federal and Provincial Governments along with the local health unit, provide resources to assist businesses through COVID-19 and to guide reopening:

Additional Business Resources

Additional Resources

Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit

Health Canada

Ontario Ministry of Health

World Health Organization

Springwater Virtual Recreation Zone

The new Virtual Recreation Zone was created to help bring the residents of Springwater together while respecting social distancing at home. This page hosts a collection of online fitness and activity programs, health and wellness resources, and virtual experiences and attractions.

211 Ontario

211 Ontario can help you find grocery stores and pharmacies that are open and offering delivery service, as well as provide information on programs and services available in our community.

Elmvale & District Food Bank

The Elmvale & District Food Bank remains open and operation. They will NOT be taking any financial information during this pandemic. They have set up for phone orders with pickup at specific times to minimize contact. You will receive food for 3-5 days with fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy. Please call 705-322-9096 for additional information.