Peterborough’s Medical Officer of Health is adopting “an educational approach” to the wearing of face masks — as opposed to making the practice mandatory as many other health units in Ontario have already done or are considering.

During her weekly media briefing held Wednesday (July 8), Dr. Rosanna Salvaterra said she strongly recommends that residents wear a non-medical mask when attending appointments, accessing personal services, using transit, and entering an indoor establishment.

Should the decision to be made to go the mandatory route — as has just been done by the neighbouring Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit and Hastings Prince Edward Public Health — Dr. Salvaterra says that decision will be made in full consultation with municipalities and partner agencies.

“We may, in fact, go to something stronger in Peterborough but I will do that in a collaborative way,” said Dr. Salvaterra, conceding that the wearing of masks by more people does provide “a visual cue” that reminds residents “that we are still living in the midst of a pandemic.”

“I am having an information session tomorrow (Thursday) evening with elected officials and staff of municipalities and First Nations. I really want to hear from them what they’ve been hearing from their residents, from their operators and business owners, to see whether or not there is a need to make it (face masks) a requirement. What kind of compliance are we seeing? Can we rely on an educational approach? How best would we suggest it be enforced?”

“There are challenges with making masks a requirement,” Dr. Salvaterra added. “There will be never be 100 per cent compliance. There are people who cannot wear a mask (due to health issues). You may not be able to tell who those people are. They don’t have a label. We need to be very careful not to stigmatize. We need to do this with eyes wide open.”

As of 4 p.m. Monday (July 7), the total number of positive cases in Peterborough city and county and Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations remained at 95, with no new cases reported over the past 17 days.

Of the positive cases, 93 have been resolved with two COVID-19 related deaths reported. For the seventh consecutive week, there are no institutional outbreaks reported.

Meanwhile, an estimated 18,550 people have been tested, almost 2,000 during the course of the past week. One of every eight residents in Peterborough Public Health’s catchment area has been tested — a testing rate of 12.5 percent.

Locally there have been 64 positive cases detected per 100,000 people compared to Ontario’s rate of 243 positive cases per 100,000 people. Meanwhile, the local incidence rate over the past week is zero positive cases per 100,000 people, again much lower than the provincial incidence rate of 7.7 cases per 100,000 people.

“We’re on the right track but we need to keep doing what we’re already doing,” said Dr. Salvaterra, adding “We’re getting there” when asked if the Peterborough region is ready for stage three of the province’s recovery plan. The Ontario government has not yet committed to a date for announcing stage three.

As for residents letting their guard down as a result of a flattened curve locally, Dr. Salvaterra admits to being “personally afraid” of that happening.

“That’s why it’s important to make changes to the physical environment that will support the behaviour we need. Examples like widening the sidewalks (and) keeping tables on patios two metres away from each other.”

Dr. Salvaterra also announced that effective immediately, a workplace toolkit is available on Peterborough Public Health website (see below). It covers a number of topic specific to businesses and establishments re-opening safely in accordance with existing emergency measures.

Also participating in Wednesday’s media briefing was Peterborough Mayor Diane Therrien.

PDF – Safely Reopening in Peterborough City & County – Toolkit for Establishments and Businesses – Peterborough Public Health
Safely Reopening in Peterborough City & County - Toolkit for Establishments and Businesses - Peterborough Public Health

Otonabee Conservation is asking Peterborough-area businesses and residents to voluntarily reduce their water consumption by 20 per cent after declaring a “Level 2 Low Water Condition”.

Otonabee Conservation analyzes the condition of the watershed on a monthly basis, and determines low-water status based on available data including temperature, precipitation, and surface water levels and flow. Weather anomalies, including well-above normal air temperatures and well-below normal rainfall, have resulted in the Level 2 Low Water Condition.

“High temperatures have also contributed to this Level 2 Low Water declaration, as June was six per cent hotter than normal and included four days when the daytime high reached 30 degrees Celsius,” explains Otonabee Conservation water resources technologist Gordon Earle. “During the first week of July, we saw daytime air temperatures that reached 30 degrees C on six out of seven days. More sizzling, hot days are expected to come, especially during the first half of the month.”

Rainfall for the preceding one-month and three-month periods ending June 30th were below 60 per cent of the normal total in the Otonabee, Indian, and Ouse River watersheds. In addition, June saw three weeks with minimal rainfall (less than 7.6mm in a week), which is another indicator of a Level 2 drought.

When a Level 2 Low Water Condition occurs, all water users are asked to voluntarily reduce their water consumption by 20 per cent. This includes municipalities, aggregate operations, golf courses, water bottlers, farm irrigation, and private users.

To reduce water use by 20 per cent, Otonabee Conservation offers the following water conservation tips:

• Turn off ornamental fountains and artificial waterfalls.
• Run full loads of dishes and laundry during off-peak use times (between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.) and use shorter washing cycles.
• Water gardens wisely, add mulch, or use stored rainwater from a rain barrel.
• Lawns that have turned brown from the drought are not “dead”; the grass has just gone dormant from lack of water. When rainfall returns, the grass will come out of dormancy and perk back up.
• Adhere to municipal watering restrictions that may apply.
• Do not use water to clean sidewalks, driveways, patios, or decks. Instead, use a broom to sweep up.
• Do not wash your vehicles in the driveway. Delay washing your vehicles as long as possible, and visit a car wash facility when you do need to wash vehicles.
• Cover swimming pools when not in use to reduce evaporation.
• Install an efficient faucet or aerator to reduce water demands for handwashing, rinsing fruits and vegetables, or washing dishes.
• Take shorter and less frequent showers to conserve water.
• Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth, shaving, or washing your face.
• Rinse fruits and vegetables in a bowl of water rather than under a running tap. You can then use the water for house plants or in your garden.
• Keep a pitcher of water in the fridge rather than running tap water until cold enough to drink.

For more ideas to conserve water, download the Water Conservation Fact Sheet from the Ontonabee Conservation website

The Level 2 Low Water Condition will remain in effect until at least early AUgust, when the Otonabee Region Water Response Team meets again to review the current drought situation.

The annual Crayola Sale, which takes place every fall at the Lindsay Exhibition Fairgrounds, has been cancelled for the first time in 30 years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to representatives of both the United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes and Crayola Canada, the decision to cancel the event was based on safety and health concerns.

The popular cash-only sale attracts hundreds of people seeking Crayola products — including crayons, markers, paints, and kits — at discounted prices. For past sales, people have camped out in advance to get the best selection.

“While the decision to cancel the annual sale was a difficult one, the health and safety of staff, customers, and volunteers is our highest priority,” says Crayola Canada general manager Paul Murphy.

“The cancellation of the sale does not alter Crayola Canada’s commitment to our relationship with the United Way We look forward to continuing to work with them and to finding new ways to support their efforts within our community.”

The sale has raised more than $1 million for United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes over the past 30 years.

“Crayola Canada has and continues to support our community work,” says Penny Barton Dyke, executive director of United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes. “In the 30 years of working together with Crayola Canada employees, we have formed a deep bond and we have continued our work to help people in our community.

Dyke says organizers are working towards an alternative to the annual sale.

Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Wednesday afternoon and evening (July 8) for most of the Kawarthas region, including Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, and Northumberland.

Conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms that may be capable of producing strong wind gusts, large hail, and heavy rain.

A few thunderstorms may hit severe thunderstorm warning criteria on Thursday afternoon or early evening.

The main threats are heavy downpours and wind gusts to 90 kilometres per hour.

Be prepared for severe weather. Take cover immediately, if threatening weather approaches. Lightning kills and injures Canadians every year. Remember, when thunder roars, go indoors!

The Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management recommends that you take cover immediately if threatening weather approaches.

Following fire bans and restrictions imposed by Peterborough and Haliburton counties, the City of Kawartha Lakes is also implementing a municipal-wide burn ban effective at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8th.

Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Services is implementing the ban due to extremely dry conditions across Kawartha Lakes. These conditions can be extremely hazardous and so residents need to be cautious, including by being mindful of actions such as not disposing of cigarette butts on the side of the road, in park and trail areas, and even in small planters.

“It can sometimes take upwards of 10 to 15 minutes before a cigarette fire becomes noticeable in dry vegetation,” says Fire Chief Mark Pankhurst, “but once the fire is ignited, it can be mere seconds before the grass or even a field is covered in flames.”

There will be zero tolerance for any burning during the ban. All regular burn permits, including annual permits, are suspended until further notice and will not be issued during the ban.

Campfires including outdoor fire pits, burn barrels, chimineas, and other portable open air fire devices intended for backyard bonfires are not permitted to be used during a burn ban.

Fireworks are also not permitted to be discharged during the burn ban, with no exceptions.

Outdoor appliances listed for use in Canada that use propane or natural gas as a fuel supply are allowed to be used on a resident’s property during an imposed burn ban. For example, gas, electric, and charcoal barbeques are permitted to be used during a burn ban, as long as they are done so with supervision at all time.

However, they may not be permitted in some condominium and apartment complexes, so check the building’s rules to confirm before using. Be sure to review and follow all safety precautions noted with the appliance.

The ban may not apply to those with agricultural or special burn permits, as special conditions already apply to these permits. However, safe practices should be followed at all times for those authorized to burn.

The minimum fine for contravening the burn ban is $485. Under section 8.03 of the city’s by-law 2016-110, those setting a fire during a burn ban can be charged under the Provincial Offences Act and will also be responsible for the costs incurred for fire service response and potential fire suppression efforts.

Residents who wish to lodge a complaint about someone contravening the burn ban can call 705-324-2191.

Face coverings will be mandatory for customers at businesses in Hastings and Prince Edward counties effective at noon on Friday, July 10th.

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) issued a letter to local business owners and operators on Tuesday (July 7).

This was the same day the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit issued similar instructions to businesses in Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland, and Haliburton.

Two of the three health units in the greater Kawarthas region — with Peterborough Public Health being the exception — have now issued instructions to business owners and operators under the authority of Ontario Regulation 263/20 of the provincial Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA). This is the emergency order covering the province’s stage two reopening and states that businesses must comply with “the advice, recommendations and instructions of public health officials”.

These instructions, which previously included requirements for physical distancing, cleaning, and disinfecting, now include face coverings. HPEPH is directing businesses and commercial establishments operating in Hastings and Prince Edward counties to have policies must be in place — effective at 12 p.m. on Friday, July 10th — to ensure that people entering indoor commercial premises are wearing non-medical masks and face coverings, with some exceptions.

“Wearing a non-medical mask or face covering is an additional preventive measure that, when combined with other infection control efforts, will help further reduce the spread of COVID-19,” says Dr. Alexa Caturay, HPEPH’s acting medical officer of health. “Clear policies in commercial establishments will help reinforce use of non-medical masks and face coverings. We are committed to working together with local municipalities and businesses to implement appropriate, proactive, infection control approaches and keep our community safe.”

There have been 43 positive cases of COVID-19 in Hastings and Prince Edward counties since the pandemic began, with 37 of these cases resolved. The last positive COVID-19 case was reported on May 18.

In her July 7th letter to business owners and operators advising them of the instructions (see copy of letter below), Dr. Caturay recognizes the community’s collective success at keeping case counts low, but states that this “diligent work must continue.”

“While the science on the use of non-medical masks or face coverings by the general public is evolving, there is a growing body of evidence on the effectiveness of these measures in enclosed public spaces to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” Dr. Caturay writes.

“We know that most people are already participating and doing what’s right for our community by following the measures we have recommended, including wearing face coverings in public spaces. Our data also tells us that most Canadians support these measures becoming mandatory in order for everyone to feel safe and comfortable in their day-to-day lives.”

PDF: Medical Officer of Health Letter to Employers, Business Owners, and Operators in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties
Medical Officer of Health Letter to Employers, Business Owners, and Operators in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties

Dr. Caturay’s letter also outlines the exemptions to the requirement for wearing a face mask (see fact sheet below). The wording is similar to instructions issued by all other health units in Ontario that have made face masks mandatory.

Fact Sheet: Face Covering Requirements for Commercial Establishments in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties

• Face coverings or non-medical masks are strongly recommended throughout the HPEPH catchment area, in all public situations where physical distancing may not be possible.
• In addition, effective 12:00 pm on July 10, 2020, commercial businesses operating in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties (HPEC) are required to have a policy in place that prohibits entry to individuals who are not wearing a non-medical mask/face covering.
• These policies will be enforced “in good faith” with a focus on education and reminders about requirements under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act Stage 2.
• Those who do not comply with these requirements may be liable for a fine of $750 to $1,000 for an individual, to a maximum of $100,000 or in the case of a corporation, not more than $10,000,000 for each day or part of each day on which the offence occurs or continues. 
• A person shall be exempt from wearing a non-medical mask or face covering on the premises if:
  • the person is a child under the age of two years; or a child under the age of five years chronologically or developmentally and cannot be persuaded to wear a face covering by their caregiver;
  • the person has a medical condition rendering them unable to wear a non-medical mask or face covering safely;
  • the person cannot apply or remove a non-medical mask or face covering without assistance;
  • the person cannot wear a non-medical mask or face covering or cannot cover their face in a way that would appropriately control the source of droplets for reasons of religion or other protections under the Ontario Human Rights Code, R.S.O. 1990, c. H. 19, as amended;
  • the person is employed by or an agent of the operator of an enclosed public space and that space is not designated for public access and within or behind a physical barrier (i.e. Plexiglass).
• Businesses throughout the HPEC region shall also ensure that the place of business or facility is operated to enable members of the public in the place of business or facility to, to the fullest extent possible, maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from other persons. In additional, all businesses must comply with instructions from public health regarding infection control, hand hygiene, cleaning, and disinfecting.

For information about how to wear a mask safely, please visit hpepublichealth.ca

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Customers of commercial businesses in the City of Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County, and Haliburton County will be required to wear masks beginning on Monday, July 13th.

Dr. Lynn Noseworthy, medical officer of health for the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit, issued instructions on Tuesday (July 7) to the owners and operators of commercial establishments currently open during stage two of the province’s reopening, requiring that those businesses have a policy in place that requires people to wear a non-medical mask or face covering before entering their commercial establishment.

The instructions have been issued under the authority of Ontario Regulation 263/20 under the provincial Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA).

“Although we have seen a decline in the number of COVID-19 cases in our area, we want to be sure we continue to see a decrease as we move towards the reopening of more businesses within the province,” Dr. Noseworthy says. “We need to do everything we can to avoid the chance of a resurgence in activity that we have seen in some other places.”

There have been 171 cases of COVID-19 in the City of Kawartha Lakes (147 of which are resolved), 21 in Northumberland County (21 of which are resolved), and 10 in Haliburton County (nine of which resolved). The last positive case in Kawartha Lakes was on Friday, July 3rd, when two cases were reported.

The requirement for non-medical mask or face covering use within local businesses will come into effect at 12:01 a.m. on July 13, 2020. The use of masks will be required while the provincial emergency order remains in force or until such time that the Ontario Ministry of Health lifts the requirement.

Under the health unit’s instructions, commercial establishments are premises that are openly accessible to members of the public and used for the purposes of offering goods or services for sale.

An establishment would include a mall or other structure containing commercial premises, including retail stores, convenience stores, restaurants, personal services settings, grocery stores and bakeries, gas stations, indoor farmers’ markets, and areas of mechanics’ shops, garages, or repair shops which are open to the public.

Dr. Noseworthy says wearing a mask is about protecting other people, and reduces the likelihood that someone could unknowingly spread the virus to another person.

“Provincially, we have seen a number of asymptomatic cases,” she says. “This is just another step in doing what we can to protect our family, friends, and neighbours in our communities.”

The health unit says it will be taking a “progressive enforcement approach” to ensure compliance, with a focus on education. The focus will be to educate people on the use of non-medical masks or face coverings in premises where physical distancing may be difficult. As per the EMCPA, businesses that do not comply with the requirements may be fined.

Additional education and enforcement will be conducted by health hnit staff, as well as by local municipal by-law officers and police officers.

There are exemptions to the policy and a person will be exempt from wearing a non-medical mask or face covering in the premises if:

• The person is a child under the age of two years.
• The person is a child under the age of five years, either chronologically or developmentally, and he or she refuses to wear a face covering and cannot be persuaded to do so by their caregiver.
• The person is incapacitated and unable to remove their mask without assistance.
• The person cannot safely wear a non-medical mask or face covering for any other medical reason, such as but not limited to respiratory disease, cognitive difficulties, or difficulties in hearing or processing information.
• The person cannot wear a non-medical mask or face covering for any religious reason or cannot cover the face in a manner that would properly control the source.

For more information about the instructions requiring non-medical mask use or face coverings, visit the health unit’s website at www.hkpr.on.ca or call toll-free at 1-866-888-4577, ext. 5020.

A fact sheet and questions-and-answers document provided by the health unit are shown below.

Fact Sheet: Required Use of Non-Medical Masks and Face Coverings within Commercial Establishments
Fact Sheet: Required Use of Non-Medical Masks and Face Coverings within Commercial Establishments

Questions and Answers: Required Use of Non-Medical Masks and Face Coverings within Commercial Establishments
Questions and Answers: Required Use of Non-Medical Masks and Face Coverings within Commercial Establishments

A recent disturbing incident in Burleigh Falls north of Peterborough has prompted a local business operator to urge visitors to the area to “respect the land, the beauty and, most importantly, the people.”

Jennifer Craig, general manager and operations manager of Burleigh Falls Inn and Suites on Highway 28 in North Kawartha Township, made her frustration abundantly clear in a July 6th Facebook post — which has since gone viral, with more than 1,000 reactions and 2,000 shares.

“What we do not want, and can’t have any more, is overcrowding, defecating, trespassing on private lands, parking on private lands, intoxication, drug use, garbage and an increase in violence,” Craig writes in her post.

“Do not harass area residents and businesses for the lack of public facilities (this is not our fault). Don’t swear, curse and verbally abuse us. We don’t deserve it. Most importantly, treat all those you come in contact with as you would like to be treated.”

According to Craig, since the partial lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, the small community of Burleigh Falls has seen an influx of visitors it has never experienced before.

“On a typical day, you might 10 or 15 people at the falls; on long weekends, that might increase to 50, even 70,” she says. “We’re talking 150 to 200 people now, wall to wall on the shoreline. We’re not saying ‘Don’t come.’ We’re saying ‘If you come, here are some of the things we want you to do. Be respectful.'”

The proverbial last straw for Craig occurred last Friday evening (July 3) when Peterborough County OPP officers responded to a complaint involving a group of young men damaging a vehicle with baseball bats and golf clubs. That alleged action was preceded by an altercation between two groups of people swimming at Burleigh Falls. The suspects left the area but were located by OPP near Young’s Point and arrested.

Allan Strong, 18, of Oshawa, is charged with possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, assault with a weapon, driver fail to properly wear seat belt, litter highway, drive motor vehicle with no plate validation, drive motor vehicle or boat with cannabis readily available, drive motor vehicle with liquor readily available, and novice driver – blood alcohol count above zero.

Jeffrey Chessman, 21, of Ajax, is charged with possession of an imitation weapon for a dangerous purpose and passenger fail to properly wear seat belt.

Randy Chessman, 25, of Ajax, is charged with two counts of mischief under $5,000, possession of an imitation weapon for a dangerous purpose, being intoxicated in a public place, and consuming liquor in other than a licensed premise, residence or private place.

All three are scheduled to appear September 8th in Peterborough provincial court.

While this incident prompted Craig to make her impassioned plea on Facebook, she says illegal parking, littering, and defecation have been prevalent since eased COVID-19 restrictions made visiting the falls possible again.

“The first weekend (of public access to the falls) there was an emergency and they (first responders) had difficulty getting in,” says Craig.

Craig has written a letter outlining her concerns with the parking crunch, the lack of public washrooms, and “the unbelievable mounds of garbage” and sent it to the area’s governing municipalities — Selwyn Township, North Kawartha Township and the Municipality of Trent Lakes — as well as to Peterborough County Warden J. Murray Jones, Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development, Peterborough and the Kawarthas Tourism, Peterborough Public Health, and the Ontario Ministry of Health.

“Yes, our property is here but we’re not for public parking,” says Craig. Despite restrictions that limit the inn to 50 per cent capacity, she arrived on Canada Day to find its parking full by 7 a.m.

“Not one of those were our customers,” says Craig. “On my property, there are three different businesses. Not one of those cars was there for those businesses.”

“We didn’t have them towed. I was very calm about it. I don’t want that imagery, I don’t want people having a bad taste in their mouth, but we spent the whole day in the parking lot coordinating what people were trying to do.”

As frustrating and time consuming as that situation was and remains, Craig adds “Then we saw the aggressive behaviour.”

“We had our ice cream parlour open. I was absolutely appalled at grown adults berating two 14-year-olds about the lack of public washrooms. Had they asked politely and followed our protocols and were wearing a face covering, we probably would have said ‘Yes, feel free, go ahead.’ But because you don’t want to follow my protocols and you call me every name in the book because I insist on face coverings inside our main building, they don’t want to fold.”

“We’ve tried to be proactive. We had four staff members here at 7 a.m. Saturday (July 4) to try and control parking. We had our first confrontation with a group at 7 a.m. that turned into a confrontation with the same group at 8 p.m. that turned into a confrontation with the OPP that turned into a racial incident.”

The Friday night incident on Old Burleigh Road that led to the three arrests is “disheartening” says Craig, adding “I have guests on our property and now I’m exposing them to violence.”

And then there’s the matter of human excrement.

“Residents are down there every morning cleaning up other people’s dirty diapers and picking up used toilet paper. They’re being berated when they say to somebody, ‘Here’s a garbage bag, will you help us?'”

Burleigh Falls, says Craig, provides access to water that many are looking for during pandemic-restricted times. She adds “A lot of people arriving here don’t even know where the falls are.” They tell they aren’t local and are visiting from out of the region.

Moving forward, that letter Craig wrote and sent off may soon bear some fruit that could be evident as early as this weekend.

“We’ve had some encouraging news from the township and the OPP,” she says, noting Selwyn Township council acknowledged the issue during a recent meeting and has sent it to staff for a review of what can be done. She has also heard back from Alana Solman, the CAO of North Kawartha Township, who indicated it will be brought up at the next council meeting.

“If we can’t get all the agencies to work together — it is a multi-agency issue — it’s never going to be resolved. Enforcement will be one of the heavy areas. We have stepped up and offered space on our property for portable washrooms. We just can’t take on that cost.”

“I’ve always looked at a problem that there’s a solution or an opportunity. This is an opportunity for us to recognize ‘Great, people love our area.’ We want the economics to come into play but we’ve go to do it responsibly. If we’re going to do this, what are the things we need to do and what are processes needed to get there.”