The Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act provides the flexibility to address the ongoing risks and effects of the COVID-19 outbreak.
The following are in effect for our region:
- Effective Thursday, January 14, 2021 at 12:01 a.m., a stay-at-home order is in effect for everyone to remain at home with exceptions for essential purposes, such as going to the grocery store or pharmacy, accessing health care services, for exercise or for essential work.
- Effective Wednesday January 13, 2021 at 12:01 a.m., a State of Emergency is in effect for the Province of Ontario.
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.
To learn more about our reopening plan, please visit our Reopening Phases page.
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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 Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please note that the Health Line intake phone has been experiencing high call volumes. If you have questions regarding COVID-19 testing locations, please contact the Huron Perth Public Health or visit Ontario's COVID-19 testing locations page. |
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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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Effective December 26th, all in-person services at Town Hall will be suspended. The public is encouraged to use the information and online payment system available on the SouthHuron.ca website. In-person cheques may be deposited using the secure drop box outside the Main Street entrance to Town Hall. However, please be aware that processing times for mail will be longer than normal. |
| Building Department Services |
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Building services will continue and applications can be submitted by contacting the Building Department. In-person inspections on vacant new builds only, contact the Building Department to arrange inspections. |
| Development Services (Planning) |
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The following essential services will continue:
Revised Procedure for Public Meeting due to COVID-19 Pandemic: For applications requiring a public council meeting, these meetings will be held electronically in accordance with applicable legislation. 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 extension 227 Craig Metzger, Senior Planner Huron County Planning & Development Department 519-524-8394 extension 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 4:30 p.m. 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:
All non-emergency inspections have been suspended. |
| 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. 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 |
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Public service at the South Huron Landfill will continue with COVID restrictions in place. Normal curbside pickup service by Bluewater Recycling Association continues. |
| Parks and Playgrounds |
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Parks and Playgrounds have reopened. However, some are not maintained during the winter months. |
| Recreation Programming |
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All programming and facility rentals have been suspended |
| 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 extension 7. |
| South Huron Facilities - Arenas |
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All facility rentals have been suspended. |
| South Huron Facilities - Community Centres, Pools, and Small Halls |
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All facility rentals have been suspended. |
| South Huron Landfill |
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Public service at the South Huron Landfill will continue with COVID restrictions in place. The public is reminded that physical distancing safety measures remain in place and that cash will not be accepted (debit payment only). 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 and Fall Yard/Brush Curbside Collection |
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Spring and Fall Yard/Brush Curbside Collection has been completed for 2020. |
| 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 extension 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 extension 3267) for inquiries related to COVID-19 in Huron and Perth. The line is open Monday to Saturday 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.
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| 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 OpeningsBusinesses 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. Provincewide RestrictionsThe new Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act provides the flexibility to address the ongoing risks and effects of the COVID-19 outbreak. The following are in effect for our region:
Provincial News Releases:
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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As per provincial regulations, the Municipality of South Huron has developed a Work Place COVID-19 Safety Plan. The COVID-19 event continues to evolve rapidly. Since the start of the pandemic 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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December 20 - South Huron to implement Provincewide mandated shutdown to stop the spread of COVID-19 August 27 - South Huron updates on re-opening plan: Stephen Arena and SHRC skating June 10 - Municipality updates on re-opening framework May 29 - South Huron Landfill returns to normal operating hours June 1 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:
- 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.
- An Emergency Community Support Fund for Organizations serving vulnerable populations.
- 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.
Additional ways to get involved are to contact them by email at 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)