The Township has shared a series of resources with us related to the COVID-19 crisis and life on the lake. These details are being updated regularly, so check their website as the primary source of information at http://www.thearchipelago.on.ca/ and for more direct information, sign up for their E-News Feature.

CURRENT RESTRICTIONS AND SERVICE LIMITATIONS IN WEST PARRY SOUND

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It’s not business as usual in Ontario and the West Parry Sound area is no exception as we are also impacted by COVID-19. Provincial orders and guidance have only just changed this week to see cottagers access their properties this spring. The municipalities of the West Parry Sound area have been working extensively around issues presented by the COVID-19 crisis. Below is information about current local service interruptions, limitations and restrictions that are in place for permanent and seasonal residents. For comprehensive information about COVID-19 and Provincial restrictions visit www.ontario.ca/coronavirus.

Shopping

Everyone is encouraged to limit shopping trips to once per week, to shop for essential items only and if possible, have one-person shop for the household. Plan ahead and make a list of what you need to limit your number of trips into the store(s) to reduce wait times and lineups.

For new arrivals to the community, you are encouraged to please bring what you need from home and be prepared to self support upon your arrival. This will reduce your time spent waiting in line-ups, reducing your stress and supporting continued social distancing.

*Note: if you are a senior or an individual maintaining a required or imposed isolation there is a grocery assistance program offered by the Rotary Club to help you. The program can do your in-store shopping and provide you with curb-side pickup thereby keeping you out of the store. Please see the link for further details, www.parrysound.ca/help.

Please be patient, positive and friendly to those working in our stores, the combination of COVID-19 procedural changes, staffing shortages, and an influx of seasonal residents arriving for the summer season will cause delays, these staff members are doing their best to serve you in a timely and safe manner.

Remember non-essential businesses that are typically open for the May long remain closed or have limited services such as curb-side pick-up, while they are preparing to serve you after Provincial restrictions are lifted, their services will be limited or not available.

Grocery Stores

Local grocery stores are well stocked with supplies, however due to measures in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to protect their customers and staff, our grocery stores have special procedures in place to limit the number of people in the stores at one time to ensure physical distancing is possible.

This means delays entering the stores, you will be required to line up and wait your turn to enter. Physical distancing measures are also in place throughout the stores including one-way isles and changes to check out procedures. The wearing of personal protective equipment, such as masks, are encouraged.

Hardware Stores & Garden Centres

Effective May 8 & 9, 2020 Hardware stores and Garden Centres were permitted to re-open to in-store shopping. Our stores have re-opened however they have procedural changes and restrictions in place to ensure physical distancing is practiced, these include limiting the number of people in the stores.

Local Restaurants Offering Take-Out or Delivery

While restaurants have been ordered closed to public access, many local restaurants are offering takeout and delivery options. Contact the restaurants directly to order.

From the West Parry Sound Health Centre

At the West Parry Sound Health Centre we are always prepared to meet the health care needs of everyone who relies on our care and service. In addition to the usual limitations associated with COVID-19 preparedness and response, please know that as we prepare to enter this long-weekend and the summer season that follows, we are functioning under significant restrictions. Many of these restrictions are required by provincial authorities; other limitations are the result of scarcity of resources: people, supplies (including personal protective equipment,) treatment equipment, and space.

The health centre continues to provide care while working in a very fragile state. We see this continuing throughout the summer.

We are extremely thankful for the ongoing generosity of our seasonal property owners. Proportionally, and by value, they are the biggest donors supporting health care services in West Parry Sound. We ask that they come prepared and committed to ‘tread lightly’ on all of the public infrastructure services that we collectively rely on.

We offer the following advice:

BYOS (bring your own stuff)

Please prepare for a slow and safe merge into community life. Bring a supply of groceries, prescriptions, beverages, and other items that will be used and consumed.
Practice and promote precautions
Arrive in our community with a strong commitment to physical distancing.
Maintain a keen awareness that this will not be summer-as-usual in all of the places where we love to gather: festivals, markets, public watersides, and family celebrations.  Bring with you, non-medical grade masks for necessary outings and always wear your mask properly covering your nose and mouth.
Avoid gatherings that involve people not included in your daily seasonal household.

Eliminate All Avoidable Risk

Please, please, please - avoid risk and the potential need for emergency health care.
This is not the summer for risky DIY, like cutting down the very large pine tree that’s been hanging over the screen porch. This is not the summer for a careless barefoot encounter with a rattlesnake.
Hire a local professional and support (not visit) your local hospital.

Crown Land Camping Restrictions

Under the emergency order, no individual can camp on Crown Land while the order is in effect. Any equipment used for the purpose of outdoor recreational accommodation such as a tent, trailer, tent trailer, recreational vehicle, camper-back and any watercraft equipped for overnight accommodation are prohibited on public lands, including those covered by water.

Physical Distancing on the Water

Physical distancing rules still apply, even on the water. If you need to go out on the water, please take precautions to ensure you are being safe and continuing to distance from others, this means no beaching your boat next to someone else and no rafting up while on the water.

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Travel Between Communities

Traveling outside of your community for any reason puts yourself and others at risk of contracting COVID-19. Although it may seem harmless to go out of the area to do your grocery shopping or visit a family member, you risk spreading the virus to another community or bringing it back to your own. Car accidents, breakdowns and unplanned bathroom breaks could also risk furthering the spread of the virus.

Remember, even asymptomatic people can be carriers of COVID-19, unnecessary trips into the community, or needing to call on emergency services could cause you to unknowingly contract or spread the virus. Please do your part, stay safe and help prevent the spread of COVID-19.