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For Immediate Release 

Earlier this week the Province of Ontario announced that effective January 14, 2021 at 12:01 am, the entire province will be placed under a Stay-at-Home Order in accordance with the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA), which requires everyone to remain at home with exceptions for essential purposes, such as going to the grocery store or pharmacy; accessing health-care services; exercising; or doing essential work.

Following this announcement, the Township will extend administrative office closures in Sydenham at 4432 George Street, and at 2490 Keeley Rd., until at least February 11, 2021.

While these offices remain closed to the public, most municipal services will continue to be delivered and public communications via telephone and email will remain in place during regular business hours. 

As a result of Ontario’s Stay-at-Home Order, and the broader COVID-19 outbreak, the following changes to our service delivery will take effect immediately:

Development Services Update – Building Services

  • Effective January 12th, 2021, non-essential construction has been further restricted; the Province has released a list of construction activities that are permitted during the stay-at-home order. The complete list is available on the Province’s website at Enhancing public health and workplace safety measures in the Provincewide shutdown | Ontario.ca

  • For residential construction, projects are permitted to continue where:
    • A footing permit has been granted for single family, semi-detached and townhomes before January 12, 2021,
    • The project is a condominium, mixed use or other residential building, or
    • The project involves renovations to residential properties and construction work was started before January 12, 2021.
  • Building permit applications continue to be reviewed and issued for all types of construction.  

  • Inspections will only be completed for construction started prior to January 12, 2021 and for construction permitted under the Provincial Order.

  • For permitted construction, South Frontenac Building Inspectors will follow the below inspection protocol:
    • COVID-19 pre-screening questions will be asked at the time inspections are booked;
    • Inspectors will ask COVID 19 screening questions on site;
    • Inspections within occupied dwellings will not be completed at this time, unless the inspection is related to an immediate health and safety concern.
  • Compliance with Provincial Orders is the responsibility of the applicant.

  • Building permit and Planning applications can continue to be submitted via mail, or in person using the drop box located at 4432 George St., Sydenham. Application fees can be submitted via mail or drop box.

Public Works Department Reminders

  • Public Works operations remain unchanged and all winter road maintenance standards will continue to be met.
  • Regular hours apply at both the Loughborough Waste Disposal Site and Portland Waste Disposal Site. For the safety of our front-line staff, please follow all posted signage and continue to practice physical distancing. Garbage & Recycling pick up will continue as scheduled.
  • Our Hazardous Waste Facility on Keeley Road will continue to be open from 3:00pm to 7:00 pm on regularly scheduled days. Upcoming dates include January 28th and February 11th, 2021.  

General Reminders

Although the Kingston Frontenac Lennox & Addington (KFL&A) Public Health region has seen a relatively stable rate of cases over the past few weeks due to the diligence of the community, cases of COVID-19 continue to climb in other parts of the province. As such, the Stay-at-Home Order aims to reduce the number of daily contacts with those outside your immediate household.

The Province recommends the following general public health measures for all individuals:

  • Stay home as much as possible, limiting outings for essential trips (e.g., health care, medication, groceries, and child care),
  • Work from home, except where necessary for essential work (e.g. health care, grocery),
  • Outdoor organized public gatherings and social gatherings are further restricted to a maximum of five (5) people with limited exceptions,
  • Exercise alone or with people in your household,
  • Limit close contact to those within your household,
  • Maintain 2 metres of physical distancing from everyone outside of your household,
  • Individuals are required to wear a mask or face covering in the indoor areas of businesses or organizations that are open. Wearing a mask or face covering is now recommended outdoors when you can't physically distance more than two metres. 
  • Do not travel outside your region or the province unless absolutely necessary.

Residents’ cooperation and patience is appreciated during this time. It is the goal of Council and staff of the Township to continue to provide quality services under these challenging circumstances while also keeping residents and staff safe.

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For more information please contact:

Neil Carbone
Chief Administrative Officer
613-376-3027 ext.2225
ncarbone@southfrontenac.net

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