April 19, 2021 Update Letter from your Councillors:We include in this short email update information on the new eligibility for the Astra Zeneca vaccine at one of 24 local pharmacies, Halton Regional Police response to Shut down regulations, and a link to the details on the regulations. Our apologies; the link to the Frequently Asked Questions was broken on our April 13 newsletter and we include it for you today.The weekend saw changes in the shutdown orders and we are advised playground equipment will remain accessible to allow for play but courts ( Basketball, tennis, pickleball ) remain closed. Can I walk with my friends? If you live alone you need to choose one household you will treat as your household. Otherwise, a household can enjoy the park or walk as a single household. Groups of different households choosing to interact and walk together are not allowed in this shutdown. Who do I call if I am concerned that there are violations of the shutdown regulations? To report a violation of the COVID-19 restrictions that are in place in Halton, please call the Halton Regional Police Service COVID-19 hotline at 905-825-4722.Or contact Service Oakville at 905 845 6601 24/7. If it is after 4:30, press 4 and you will reach the after-hour service. No one is immune to the stress the virus and restrictions cause. If you need assistance in coping we include mental health support information below and your employer’s employee assistance plan will also provide confidential services for you. We are just a phone call or email away. Please continue to stay safe to stay well! Janet and DaveTop |
Vaccine Eligibility Continues to Expands to include 40 +  Starting April 20, 2021, 24 pharmacies across the province are booking appointments for AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines for eligible people ages 40 or older in 2021. You must have an appointment to get vaccinated at a participating pharmacy. Contact a participating pharmacy near you to book an appointment. Before you book You must:be 40 years old or older in 2021 have a valid Ontario health (OHIP) card or another form of valid government-issued identificationhttps://covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations HRPS Response to New Provincial COVID-19 Regulations “We would like to reassure our community that our officers will not be conducting random stops of vehicles or individuals. On April 16, 2021, the Government of Ontario announced new restrictions, including a two-week extension of the current province-wide shutdown, in order to curb the concerning transmission rates of COVID-19. The Stay-at-Home order requires everyone to remain home except for essential travel such as grocery and pharmacy needs, health care services, outdoor exercise, and work. The Government of Ontario also announced enhanced enforcement measures for provincial offences officers, including police officers, under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA). The Halton Regional Police Service is reviewing the new regulations. At this time, our current enforcement response will remain the same, with a focus on the 4 Es:EngageExplainEducateEnforce We will continue to work with our Municipal By-law partners and Public Health officials to respond to complaints and support proactive efforts to raise awareness. Our focus will remain on education and using enforcement only as a last resort. With the healthcare system at critical capacity, the Halton Regional Police Service continues to urge residents to take personal responsibility to follow all restrictions to limit the spread of the deadly COVID-19 virus. Let’s do this, Halton. Continue to be kind to one another. Many people are struggling with the duration of these restrictions and are very isolated. Ask people how they are doing. Then, ask them how they are really doing. A list of mental health supports and resources is available here. As a final note, on behalf of every member of our Service, we extend our thanks to all essential workers and the frontline healthcare heroes of Ontario who are risking their lives every day to protect us all.” Statement from Chief Tanner: “We will always be committed to the safety, protection, and security of the entire community. It is my hope and expectation that our officers will not be put in the position of having to use enforcement as a mechanism to achieve what should occur through voluntary compliance. That is why we are committed to engage, explain and educate our public and we will resort to enforcement only as a last resort. We will not be stopping vehicles or individuals randomly but will respond as required and when necessary. It is my hope that our citizens will continue to work cooperatively with us and with all levels of government throughout the weeks and months ahead.” |