NEWS RELEASE
COUNTY OF SIMCOE
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The province of Ontario has announced a 28-day initial lockdown running Dec. 26 to Jan. 23. As the provider of significant regional services, the County is working with the Health Unit and area partners to ensure critical services are maintained while adhering to all safety guidelines.
Effective Dec. 26 at 12:01 a.m. the following services, facilities and programs will be impacted:
Closed to the public:
County Administration Centre (Midhurst)
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The Administration Centre will be closed to the Public until Jan. 23. Staff will continue to serve residents, clients and partners virtually by appointment only
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The Service Simcoe Contact Centre will be moving to virtual service only at [email protected] or 705-735-6901
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The Cravings @ Work Cafeteria will be closed to staff and the public during the lockdown
Simcoe County Museum
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The facility will be closed to the public until Jan. 23
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Staff will continue to work towards offering the Skate Trail in late January, weather and restrictions permitting
Simcoe County Archives
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Building access remains closed to the public during the pandemic
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Staff will continue to provide remote/virtual services to the public and clients. Click here for information
Continued essential/critical services:
Landfills and curbside waste collection
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Landfills will remain open on their modified COVID-19 schedule, with holiday closures occurring on the Statutory Holidays only (December 25, December 26 and January 1) and at 12 p.m. on Dec. 24
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For safety precautions all landfills will move to cashless transactions (debit and credit only with tap preferred)
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Curbside waste collection services will continue. During the holidays, Friday collections on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 will move to the Saturdays (Dec. 26 and Jan. 2). All other collection days remain the same during the holidays
LINX Transit
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LINX Transit will continue to operate all routes with safety precautions in place
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Holiday hours are in effect with no service on the three Statutory Holidays only (Dec. 25, Dec. 26 and Jan. 1)
Ontario Works offices
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Due to the essential nature of the service, Ontario Works offices will remain open to provide limited and modified client support
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Enhanced safety measures and screening will be further implemented
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Clients are encouraged to utilize virtual assistance options to further reduce foot traffic
Emergency child care support
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At direction from the Ministry of Education, the County of Simcoe is collaborating with local system stakeholders to facilitate access to targeted Emergency Child Care that will support eligible parents of school-aged children, from January 4-8, 2021. Click here to learn more
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The County will also be supporting child care providers who wish to offer additional hours to support the child care needs of Emergency Workers during the outbreak.
General services
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The County will also maintain safe operations in Long-Term Care and Seniors Services facilities, Paramedic Services, Economic Development and Tourism, Library Co-operative, Planning, Forestry, Transportation and Engineering, roads and plowing services, Lake Simcoe Regional Airport, Social Housing, Local Immigration Services, Children and Community Services, Customer Service, Legislative and Government Services (including virtual Council meetings) and administrative/support departments. Staff will be working remotely where possible and public/client assistance will be by appointment for relevant services
Given the scope of essential services, continuation of redeployment efforts for those still working in other essential departments, and the ability to continue serving our communities remotely, the County does not anticipate any planned staff layoffs during the lockdown.
County of Simcoe is composed of sixteen member municipalities and provides crucial public services to County residents in addition to providing paramedic and social services to the separated cities of Barrie and Orillia. Visit our website at simcoe.ca.
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