The Government of Ontario's province-wide state of emergency that was first declared on March 17 has been extended until June 2. See the province's Emergency Information page for the latest news. All orders (laws) made under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act are currently in effect until June 9 - see the information below for details.
The Municipality of South Huron has put in place measures to prevent the potential spread of COVID-19 in our communities. The situation is constantly being assessed and any new information regarding impacts to municipal services will be provided here. We also have web pages for information on community and personal supports available and support programs for businesses to help recover from COVID-19 lock down impacts.
| People are urged to continue following the guidance of Huron Perth Public Health. Their Health Line intake phone line (1-888-221-2133) is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please note that the Health Line intake phone has been experiencing high call volumes. |  |
Status of Municipal Services
South Huron Council and staff are committed to providing essential municipal services to our communities. All municipal departments are available by phone or email for inquiries. For a list of municipal contacts, please visit our Contact Us page.
An update on the status of municipal services (both essential continued and suspended services) is provided below by service area. Please note the following measures are in effect until further notice.
| Administration and Licencing |
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The following essential services will continue:
The following services are temporarily suspended:
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| Building Department Services |
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UPDATE: On May 14, 2020, the government announced that it was lifting limits on construction activities that can take place under the List of List of Essential Businesses established under the Emergency Order (O. Reg 82/20). This means that all construction activities or projects and related services that support construction activities or projects, including demolition services, can commence or restart as of May 19, 2020. The amended regulation (O.Reg. 223/20) can be found here: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/r20223 Changes to Essential Services relating to Construction projects as a result of the Orders issued under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA) effective as of April 5, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. See a letter from our Chief Building Inspector for details. Electronic submissions of complete building permit applications will continue to be accepted and reviewed by staff. However, site inspections performed by municipal staff will be restricted and evaluated on case-by-case basis as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Construction projects with valid building permits shall contact the municipal office to request on-site inspections a minimum of 48 hrs in advance of any required inspection. Inspection will be performed on the following basis: • The site must be vacant of all trades during the inspection • Inspections will only take place in open air environments • No inspections will be performed for occupied buildings It will be the responsibility of the site supervisor to ensure these provisions are in place and failure to do so will result in a failed inspection. Subsequent to these inspections, builders may elect to hire a third party engineer or architect to conduct on-site inspections. These inspection reports must then be forwarded to the building department electronically. This includes any permits currently issued or reviewed during this time. Any decision not to conduct an inspection shall be at the discretion of the South Huron Building Department. For more information, please contact the Building Department by email building@southhuron.ca, phone (519) 235-0310 or by fax at (519) 235-3304. |
| Development Services (Planning) |
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The following essential services will continue:
Revised Procedure for Public Meeting due to COVID-19 Pandemic: In light of the requirement for physical distancing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, persons wishing to participate in the planning process are strongly encouraged to send their comments, questions or concerns via email, by mail or by telephone to the Planner or Clerk. Rebekah Msuya-Collison, Director of Legislative Services/Clerk Municipality of South Huron 322 Main Street South, Exeter, ON, N0M 1S6 519-235-0310 x 227 Craig Metzger, Senior Planner Huron County Planning & Development Department 519-524-8394 x 3235 For those persons who wish to exercise their participation rights by making oral submissions rather than or in addition to submitting comments in writing, please note that Council meetings are being held electronically in response to the current situation. To join the electronic meeting, please contact the Clerk prior to 4:30PM on the date of the Public Meeting to receive instructions. |
| Emergency Services |
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If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 9-1-1. The following essential services will continue:
The following services are temporarily suspended:
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| Finance |
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For property tax and utility bill payments please use one of the many alternative payment methods from our list with instructions for assistance. At the April 6th meeting, South Huron Council authorized the waiving of penalty charges on outstanding property tax and utility accounts to June 5th 2020. Accounts payable – vendor payments are still being processed. Please send your invoices to ap@southhuron.ca and sign up for electronic fund payments. Email ap@southhuron.ca to request sign up forms. |
| Garbage and Recycling curbside pickup |
| Normal curbside pickup service by BRA continues. However, public drop off at the Material Recovery Facility is closed. Until further notice, BRA is not allowing residents to drop off e-waste or recyclables at their processing facility. Consult the BRA website for further information on affected services. |
| Parks and Playgrounds |
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In compliance with all provincial orders and regulations, South Huron amenities will reopen in stages. This means:
As of Friday, May 22nd at noon the following South Huron parks and sports fields will reopen to the public (see our News and Notices page for more information on South Huron's plan to reopen):
*Note: that all public washrooms, playground structures, sports benches and dugouts will remain closed at this time. The following remain closed until further notice:
Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority properties - As of May 22, Trails and conservation areas owned and/or managed by Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority are reopened to limited use. These conservation area facilities remain closed until further notice: buildings and museums, playgrounds, washrooms and privies. For a full list of disruptions, visit their Service Disruptions page or call them at 519-235-2610. |
| Recreation Programming |
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All recreation programming including third-party events hosted at municipal facilities are postponed. The following have been cancelled for the 2020 season:
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| Roads |
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Roads continue to be maintained in full regulatory compliance. The following essential services will continue:
To report an issue, please contact us through our Report a Problem form. For urgent service afterhours, please call 519.235.0310 ext 7. |
| South Huron Facilities - Community Centres, Pools, Small Halls and Arenas |
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The following facilities remain closed to the public for the time being:
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| South Huron Landfill |
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As of June 1st, the South Huron Landfill has returned to its regular operating hours. The public is reminded that physical distancing safety measures remain in place and that cash will not be accepted. The South Huron Landfill will be open:
Please note the landfill will remain closed on Sundays and statutory holidays. Upon arrival, landfill customers will be asked to provide proof of South Huron residency (driver’s license) as the following landfill services are only available to residents of the municipality:
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| Spring Yard/Brush Curbside Collection |
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Leaves & compostable garden waste bags will be picked up by municipal staff between April 9 - May 8 as time and quantity permit. Please ensure that bags weigh 23kg (50lbs) or less for pick up. Please note that staff will not pick up overweight bags, bag that are not compostable paper bags, or bags that contain other waste such as garbage or animal feces. Staff will pick-up weekly as weather permits (as per normal), however, the following measures are in place:
Brush pick up for residential customers will occur on May 6th. Brush must be bundled and tied in four foot lengths or less. |
| Water Operations, Wastewater Treatment and Sewers |
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These services continue to be provided in full regulatory compliance. The following services are temporarily suspended:
To report a water issue call 519.235.0310. For urgent service after hours, please call 519.235.0310 ext 7. |
Important COVID-19 Information and Resources
| Role of Huron Perth Public Health (HPPH) |
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Huron Perth Public Health (HPPH) is working with all levels of government, as well as local partners and stakeholders to provide information and guidance on how to respond to COVID-19 (novel coronavirus). HPPH provides updates through their Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update website. This site provides credible resources, guidance and local information for Huron and Perth, including:
HPPH has a dedicated Health Line (1-888-221-2133 ext. 3267) for inquiries related to COVID-19 in Huron and Perth. The line is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please note that the Health Line intake phone has been experiencing high call volumes. The Huron-Perth Public Health's COVID-19 Information: Workplaces, Employers, Employees page is dedicated to provide resources regarding workplace health and safety during COVID-19. |
| County of Huron |
| For information regarding COVID-19 related closures and cancellations for the County of Huron, visit their Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information page. |
| Province of Ontario's Response to COVID-19 |
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The provincial Ministry of Health provides information on the response and case numbers across Ontario through their 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) website. This site provides credible resources, guidance and information regarding COVID-19 in Ontario. Ontario Government's Online Assessment Tool was created for individuals who have coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive to aid in determining how to seek further care. The Province of Ontario has created a Ontario's Action Plan: Responding to COVID-19 to ensure our health care system, communities and economy are positioned to weather the challenges ahead. Business OpeningsThe Ontario government has begun easing restrictions on workplaces that can operate safely by following public health and safety guidelines. All retail stores with a street entrance can provide curbside pickup and delivery, as well as in-store payment and purchases at garden centres, nurseries, hardware stores and safety supply stores. Teleworking and online commerce are permitted at all times for all businesses. Businesses can refer to the list of essential workplaces for more information on workplaces that can safely reopen. On April 30, the Ontario Government has released a series of technical sector guidance documents for workplaces during the COVID-19 outbreak. These documents help support employers and employees in remaining safe in the workplace. The Huron-Perth Public Health's COVID-19 Information: Workplaces, Employers, Employees page is dedicated to provide resources regarding workplace health and safety during COVID-19. Below are other resources aimed to assist in ensuring the health and safety in the workplace during COVID-19:
The Ontario Government has launched a Ontario Together:help fight coronavirus page, which includes a directory of Find PPE Supplies which includes companies and suppliers who produce personal protective equipment (PPE) to help businesses protect their employees. Rapid Response Platform was created and supported by a number of industry partners in order to automatically match supply with demand for companies requiring PPE supplies. State of EmergencyThe Government of Ontario's province-wide state of emergency that was first declared on March 17 has been extended until June 2. See the province's Emergency Information page for the latest news. All orders (laws) made under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act are in effect until June 9.
For a complete list of all emergency orders enacted by the Government of Ontario in response to COVID-19, visit their Emergency Information page. |
| Government of Canada's Response to COVID-19 |
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Public Health Agency of Canada provides information on current cases, risk to Canadians, and updates through their Coronovirus disease (COVID-19) webpage. The webpage includes a COVID-19 Virtual Assistant (headset icon located at the bottom right corner of the page) that can assist individuals in finding the COVID-19 information they are looking for. The Government of Canada has developed a COVID-19 Economic Response Plan which will support Canadians and businesses facing hardship as a result of the pandemic. The following laws have been put in place by the Government of Canada:
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| Attention Travellers: Mandatory self-isolation in effect for individuals entering Canada |
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Effective March 26, the Public Health Agency of Canada issued an Emergency Order under the Quarantine Act requiring any person entering Canada (by air, sea or land) to self-isolate for 14 days, whether or not they have symptoms of COVID-19. There are some exceptions which are listed on Public Health Agency of Canada's travel advice website. March 25 - New Order Makes Self-Isolation Mandatory for Individuals Entering Canada |
| Enforcement of Provincial and Federal Orders |
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The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have the authority to uphold federal and provincial orders (laws). If you have concerns about an order violation, residents are encouraged to call the Ontario Provincial Police non-emergency line (1-888-310-1122). DO NOT call 9-1-1 unless you need emergency service. Please note, there may be some adjustments to all non-emergency services administered by the OPP. |
| Community Resources and Personal Support Services |
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See our new page dedicated to listing community resources and personal support services to help people get through these difficult times. |
| Business Resources |
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See our new page dedicated to listing support programs to help businesses recover from the COVID-19 lock down. |
South Huron's Response to COVID-19
| See our internal management system |
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The COVID-19 event continues to evolve rapidly. Over the past several weeks our management team has been implementing measures to keep our communities safe. Some of our strategies and tactics include, but are not limited to, the following:
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Read our news releases and public notices |
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May 20 - Municipality of South Huron to implement reopening plan May 15 - Victoria Day long weekend notice May 15 - Mayor Finch's message to the community ahead of the Victoria Day weekend April 9 - Mayor Finch thanks front line workers April 9 - South Huron Landfill re-opens to provide essential services to businesses and residents April 4 - Municipality of South Huron closes all parks to the public April 3 - Enforcement of COVID-19 safety measures March 30 - Municipality urges youth to follow physical distancing requirements March 28 - Mayor Finch responds to first confirmed case of COVID-19 in South Huron March 27 - South Huron announces new measures to prevent COVID-19 spread March 26 - COVID-19 Information March 24 - South Huron municipal service update March 23 - Mayor Finch urges people to stay at home March 21 - South Huron closes all municipal playgrounds March 20 - Mayor Finch highlights local support services available March 19 - Mayor Finch encourages consumers to support local businesses March 18 - Statement from Mayor Finch regarding continuance of core services March 17 - Statement from Mayor Finch, March 17 2020 |
Help Do Local Good
The Municipality of South Huron has partnered with the United Way Perth-Huron on a “caremongering” initiative to connect those most affected by COVID-19 with those willing to lend a hand.
A new website has been launched at helpdolocalgood.ca to join people together, providing information on how to help and how to receive help, including:
- Donate to an Urgent Needs Fund that has been established to support individuals and families cope with the economic and emotional fallout of the COVID-19 outbreak.
- Volunteer sign-up to coordinate those able to contribute their time and energy to helping others in the community.
- Information and resources for the community, including the 211 community information line.
An associated Facebook group called Huron-Perth Covid 19 Resource Group - Help is Close to Home has also been created to connect people close by. Additional ways to get involved are to contact reception@perthhuron.unitedway.ca or call 519-271-7730 to leave a phone number and briefly describe how and where you can help.
Contact(s)