Drive-in theatres in Ontario can reopen on May 31, 2020, as long as restrictions are followed to prevent the spread of COVID-19. (Photo: Lindsay Drive-In)
Some good news for the owners, employees, and patrons of the Lindsay Drive-In and the Port Hope Drive-In in Cobourg — drive-in theatres in Ontario can reopen on Sunday (May 31).
The Ontario government has amended its emergency order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act that requires the closure of non-essential businesses.
The emergency order now excludes drive-in theatres, as well as batting cages. Cinemas remain closed.
The Ontario government ordered the closure of drive-in theatres and other cinemas, along with performance venues and bars and restaurants, when the province first declared a state of emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic on March 17th. Since then, drive-in theatres have been allowed to reopen in other Canadian provinces and in other countries, where they’ve experienced a resurgence in popularity.
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The amended emergency order includes some requirements for drive-ins that are reopening:
people must remain in their vehicles except to go to the washroom
only members of the same household are allowed in a vehicle
each vehicle must be at least two metres from other vehicles
no food or beverages can be sold at the drive-in theatre
washrooms at the drive-in theatre must be cleaned and disinfected frequently
drive-in theatre employees must stay at least two metres away from vehicles and other people, except when collecting admission fees
no materials can be exchanged between people at a drive-in, except between members of the same household, between drive-in employees, or for collecting admission fees.
Beginning June 1, 2020, backcountry camping is available the 20 operating Ontario provincial parks that offer it, as well as all all non-operating provincial parks and conservation reserves. This photo of backcountry camping at Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park was kawarthaNOW's top Instagram photo in July 2018. (Photo: Jasmine Starr @jasminenstarr / Instagram)
Beginning Monday, June 1st, the Ontario government is reopening backcountry camping in the 20 operating provincial parks that offer it, as well as all all non-operating provincial parks and conservation reserves.
Backcountry camping involves hiking or paddling through park lands and setting up camp in remote areas, where small groups of campers are fully equipped with supplies and don’t have access to washrooms, showers, or other amenities.
No more than five people will be allowed to occupy a backcountry campsite during their stay, unless they live in the same household.
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In the greater Kawarthas region, operating provincial parks offering backcountry camping include Algonquin Park, Kawartha Highlands, and Bon Echo. All backcountry access points, paddle and portage routes, and hiking trails will be available (with some restrictions depending on the park).
The government is also allowing recreational camping again on Crown land beginning on June 1st.
While Ontario Parks is also expanding day-use activities to include picnicking and off-leash pet areas, all other overnight camping and some day-use activities at provincial parks and conservation reserves will remain unavailable until at least Sunday, June 14th.
All buildings and facilities including campgrounds, roofed accommodations, visitor centres, park stores, playgrounds, and beaches also remain closed, although some washroom facilities may be available.
Ontario Parks will begin collecting fees for day use and backcountry camping access as of June 1st. Reservations or registrations will be required at most of the parks offering backcountry camping.
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For more information on fees and reservations, as well as any restrictions at individual parks, visit ontarioparks.com.
The government is asking all campers and park visitors to adhere to public health directions, including practicing physical distancing, wearing a face covering when physical distancing is a challenge, and frequent hand washing.
Ontario Parks has been conducting critical maintenance and other park start-up procedures and ensuring operational and safety protocols are in place so that more recreational activities and facilities can open when it is safe to do so.
The Lindsay branch of the Kawartha Lakes Public Library at 190 Kent Street West in Lindsay. (Photo: Chris Harding / Picasa)
The Kawartha Lakes Public Library has announced it is offering curbside pick-up service beginning Wednesday, June 3rd.
Public libraries in Cobourg, Peterborough, and Port Hope are also offering the service, after the Ontario government announced earlier in May that libraries would be allowed to provide pick-up and delivery as of May 19th.
The pick-up service will be available at the library’s branches in Lindsay and Fenelon Falls from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Saturday.
The service is not yet available at the library’s other branches — Bethany, Bobcaygeon, Coboconk, Dalton, Dunsford, Kinmount, Kirkfield, Little Britain, Norland, Oakwood, Omemee, and Woodville — which remain closed due to the pandemic.
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“We hope this new pickup service will help bring a little normalcy back to everyone’s lives,” says CEO and library director Jamie Anderson. “We hope to expand this to other branches if all goes well.”
Library members can place holds on materials through their online account at kawarthalakeslibrary.ca/catalogue or by calling 705-324-9411 extension 1291.
A physical or digital library card is required to place holds on items. Free digital library cards are available for Kawartha Lakes residents at kawarthalakeslibrary.ca/librarycard.
Patrons can request anything — including books, DVDs, audio books, and CDs — as long as it is available at either the Lindsay or Fenelon Falls branches (the library will transport materials between the two branches if required). Materials from other branches are not available.
The library will call when the materials are ready to be picked up. Library members can then visit their selected pick-up branch, where library staff will leave the items at the main doors. A library card or photo identification such as a driver’s license is required when picking up items. There is no public access into the library buildings during pick-up.
Patrons have seven calendar days to collect their items. A receipt with return due dates will be included with the picked-up items. The loan period for all material has been extended to four weeks.
The book drops at the Lindsay and the Fenelon Falls branches will also be open beginning on Monday, June 1st and Wednesday, June 3rd respectively.
All returned material must be left at the book drops, as library staff will not be accepting returns at the door. For safety reasons, all returned material will be quarantined for 72 hours before it is checked in, processed, and made available to other library patrons.
kawarthaNOW is providing a daily report of COVID-19 cases in the greater Kawarthas region.
Here’s today summary: there are 86 confirmed positive cases in the Peterborough area, 147 in the City of Kawartha Lakes, 16 in Northumberland County, 7 in Haliburton County, and 43 in Hastings County and Prince Edward County.
That’s an increase of 3 cases, in the Peterborough area.
There has been a total of 39 deaths. The most recent death was reported on May 7 by Hastings Prince Edward Public Health.
Province-wide, there are 27,210 confirmed cases, an increase of 344 from yesterday. A total of 20,983 cases are resolved, an increase of 310 from yesterday. There have been 2,230 deaths, an increase of 41 from yesterday, with 1,412 of the deaths being residents in long-term care homes, an increase of 35. A total of 680,687 tests have been completed, an increase of 18,525 from yesterday, with 13,351 tests under investigation, an increase of 1,483.
This report is based on data supplied by the province’s integrated Public Health Information System (iPHIS), as well as any additional information supplied by health units and hospitals. This information is at least 24 hours old, so it is not real-time data.
We publish the daily report, usually by late afternoon, with the most current information released by health units. Note that each health unit reports the information in a different way.
Peterborough Public Health’s service area is the City and County of Peterborough and the Hiawatha and Curve Lake First Nations.
Confirmed positive: 86 (increase of 3) Deaths: 2 (no change) Resolved: 74 (increase of 2) Total tests completed: Over 7,700 (increase of 200+) Institutional outbreaks: None (no change)
Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit
The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit’s service area is the City of Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County, and Haliburton County.
Confirmed positive: 170, including 147 in Kawartha Lakes, 16 in Northumberland, 7 in Haliburton (no change) Probable cases: 0 (no change) Hospitalizations: 11 (no change) Deaths: 32 (no change) Resolved: 145 (no change) Institutional outbreaks: Kawartha Lakes Retirement Residence in Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Court Long Term Care Home in Fenelon Falls, Empire Crossing Retirement Home in Port Hope (no change)
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health’s service area is Hastings County (including Bancroft) and Prince Edward County.
Confirmed positive: 43 (no change) Probable cases: 182 (no change) Deaths: 5 (no change) Hospitalized: 0 (no change) Hospitalized and in ICU: 0 (no change) Hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator: 0 (no change) Recovered: 32 (no change) Total tests completed: 7,252 (increase of 100) Institutional outbreaks: None
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Province of Ontario
Confirmed positive: 27,210 (increase of 344) Hospitalized: 826 (decrease of 7) Hospitalized and in ICU: 129 (decrease of 8) Hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator: 100 (increase of 6) Deaths: 2,230 (increase of 41) Deaths of residents in long-term care homes: 1,412 (increase of 35, 63.3% of all deaths) Total tests completed 680,687 (increase of 18,525) Tests under investigation: 13,351 (increase of 1,483) Resolved: 20,983 (increase of 310)
New COVID-19 cases in Ontario from May 1 – 28, 2020. The red line is the number of new cases reported daily, and the dotted green line is a five-day moving average of new cases. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)COVID-19 tests completed in Ontario from May 1 – 28, 2020. The red line is the number of tests completed daily, and the dotted green line is a five-day moving average of tests completed. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
Ontario Premier Doug Ford announces the province's enhanced COVID-19 testing strategy at a media briefing at Queen's Park on May 29, 2020, along with Ontario's chief medical officer of health Dr. David Williams and health minister Christine Elliott. (Screenshot / CPAC)
The Ontario government announced on Friday (May 29) that COVID-19 testing will now be available to more people in more locations across the province, and that the government is now considering a regional approach as it continues to reopen the province.
Premier Doug Ford made the comments during a media briefing at Queen’s Park where he announced the next phase of the government’s COVID-19 testing strategy, along with health minister Christine Elliott and Ontario’s chief medical officer of health Dr. David Williams.
He first described the expanded COVID-19 testing to date, including proactive testing of hospital staff, long-term care residents and staff, correctional workers and inmates, and essential workers, as well as vulnerable populations and the staff who care for them in group homes, shelters, emergency child care centres, and other congregate settings.
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Ford also encouraged all Ontarians who want a test to get one.
“If you have COVID-19 symptoms, if you’re worried you’ve been in contact with someone with COVID-19, if you or your family are worried about exposure — in short, if you feel you need a test — please, please go get a test. You will not be turned away.”
He said the expanded testing will result in finding more COVID-19 cases, but that is necessary to more quickly contain the spread of the virus and to complete contact tracing.
“We can’t manage what we can’t measure,” he explained. “The more people we test, the more contacts we can trace. We have an army of 2,000 contact tracers in the field right now following up on cases. We need to keep increasing that capacity. More testing will also help us better understand the trends.”
Ford said expanded testing is already providing the government with a clearer picture of what each region in the province is dealing with, and where public health measures are needed most.
“That is why I am now comfortable with asking our officials to look at a regional approach for staged reopening. This will be one option we consider as we move into stage two.”
Ford added that the government is only able to consider this option now “because we’re getting our testing to where we need it”. He said health officials are currently looking at what a regional model could look like.
“I know other jurisdictions have used this regional approach,” Ford said. “I want to look at how this has gone in other areas, what lessons we can learn.”
Several reporters at Friday’s media briefing questioned how a regional approach would be implemented, including how the government would control for people travelling between regions.
Both Ford and chief medical officer of health Dr. Williams did not provide specifics, only saying that various factors and questions would need to be considered.
When asked by a reporter about whether a regional approach would affect the timing of stage two reopening, health minister Elliott said the stage two timing would depend on an evaluation of the impact of stage one reopenings.
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Elliott, who said Ontario has entered the “post-peak phase” of its fight against COVID-19, also outlined the next phase of the government’s COVID-19 testing plan, which includes three branches:
Expanding who can get tested at the 129 COVID-19 assessment centres across the province, to include people who are asymptomatic (showing no symptoms) but who are concerned about exposure to the virus.
Detecting and containing COVID-19 cases by expanding surveillance for vulnerable populations who are not showing symptoms, including in long-term care homes and other shared living spaces like shelters and group homes, as well as targeted testing of workplaces in priority sectors, particularly those where it may be difficult to physically distance.
Reserve testing capacity to ensure a rapid response to COVID-19 outbreaks, including in specific neighbourhoods and regions, or hospitals and workplaces. This will include the rapid and agile deployment of mobile testing teams.
“Combined, this significant expansion of testing will provide valuable information about the spread of the virus in different communities across the province,” Elliott said. “We will continue to learn from this data and adjust or adapt as needed to ensure we continue to protect all Ontarians.”
Earlier on Friday morning, Ontario public health officials provided a technical briefing on Ontario’s enhanced testing strategy. A copy of that presentation is provided below.
The swing bridge in Fenelon Falls, one of the many towns located in the Kawarthas Northumberland tourism region. As Ontario re-opens its economy after the COVID-19 pandemic, you have an opportunity to help the region's tourism, heritage, sport, and culture industries recover, grow, and prosper by volunteering for the board of directors of Regional Tourism Organization 8. (Photo: Fred Thornhill / RTO8)
According to the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tourism businesses across the province is historic and unprecedented.
As the outbreak wanes and Ontario slowly re-opens its economy, the best and the brightest people will be needed to help guide the future of tourism in the province, including in Kawarthas Northumberland.
If you have a passion for tourism — and an interest in seeing the region’s heritage, sport, tourism and culture industries recover, grow, and prosper — then consider volunteering for the board of directors of Regional Tourism Organization 8 (RTO8).
Regional Tourism Organization 8 (RTO8) is responsible for promoting tourism in the Kawarthas Northumberland region, which encompasses Peterborough & the Kawarthas, the Kawartha Lakes, and Northumberland County. The not-for-profit organization is currently seeking volunteers for its board of directors.
Funded by the Ontario Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries, RTO8 is the not-for-profit organization responsible for promoting tourism in the Kawarthas Northumberland region, which encompasses Peterborough & the Kawarthas, the Kawartha Lakes, and Northumberland County.
As an RTO8 board member, you will take part in strategic planning to shape the future of tourism in the region, while having the opportunity to collaborate with other tourism professionals. One-year, two-year, and three-year terms are available.
More than 3,000 businesses within Kawarthas Northumberland depend on RTO8 to serve and support them and to contribute to their ongoing success. During these challenging times, that support is more important than ever.
For more information and to apply to become a director of RTO8’s board, visit rto8.com/about/about-rto8/. Applications are being accepted until 4 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15th.
This story was created in partnership with Regional Tourism Organization 8.
Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for all of the greater Kawarthas region, except for Northumberland.
Conditions are favourable on Friday afternoon (May 29) for the development of severe thunderstorms that may be capable of producing strong wind gusts, large hail, and heavy rain.
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Strong wind gusts can toss loose objects, damage weak buildings, break branches off trees and overturn large vehicles.
Environment Canada issues severe thunderstorm watches when atmospheric conditions are favourable for the development of thunderstorms that could produce one or more of the following: large hail, damaging winds, torrential rainfall.
The Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management recommends that you take cover immediately if threatening weather approaches.
The Kirkfield Lift Lock in Kawartha Lakes is the second highest hydraulic lift lock in the world with a lift of 15 metres. (Photo: Wikipedia)
On Wednesday (May 27), Parks Canada announced the Trent-Severn Waterway would open for the 2020 navigation season on Monday, June 1st — but with one lock remaining closed and with limited visitor access and basic services everywhere else.
This year’s navigation season, which usually begins on the first Friday of the Victoria Day long weekend, was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. When the waterway opens, there will still be some restrictions in place along with changes to normal procedures due to the pandemic.
Beginning on June 1st, this is what will be open:
lockage
boat launches
access points
mooring areas
day-use areas (including green spaces, picnic areas, and parking lots)
day-use trails (including some cycling access on designated trails and pathways)
lockstation grounds
public toilets (where enhanced cleaning protocols will be implemented).
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However, all camping facilities will remain closed until as least Sunday, June 21st. All group activities and public events are suspended until further notice.
The Swift Rapids lockstation (Lock 43 in Muskoka Lakes) will not open on June 1st due to required structural repairs. Parks Canada expects the repair work will be completed later in June and the entire system will be open for navigation at that point.
There will also be some changes to how the Trent-Severn Waterway will operate due to the pandemic:
nautical distancing must be maintained
touchless locking will be in place
boaters must stay on their vessel while locking
cashless payment is preferred
no rafting is allowed.
Parks Canada is requesting that boaters and visitors using the Trent-Severn Waterway to follow the advice of public health experts, including necessary hygiene practices and physical distancing of two metres from others.
kawarthaNOW is providing a daily report of COVID-19 cases in the greater Kawarthas region.
Here’s today summary: there are 83 confirmed positive cases in the Peterborough area, 147 in the City of Kawartha Lakes, 16 in Northumberland County, 7 in Haliburton County, and 43 in Hastings County and Prince Edward County.
For the second day in a row, there are no new cases to report in the greater Kawarthas region.
There has been a total of 39 deaths. The most recent death was reported on May 7 by Hastings Prince Edward Public Health.
Province-wide, there are 26,866 confirmed cases, an increase of 383 from yesterday. A total of 20,673 cases are resolved, an increase of 301 from yesterday. There have been 2,189 deaths, an increase of 34 from yesterday, with 1,377 of the deaths being residents in long-term care homes, an increase of 25. A total of 662,162 tests have been completed, an increase of 17,615 from yesterday, with 11,868 tests under investigation, an increase of 51.
This report is based on data supplied by the province’s integrated Public Health Information System (iPHIS), as well as any additional information supplied by health units and hospitals. This information is at least 24 hours old, so it is not real-time data.
We publish the daily report, usually by late afternoon, with the most current information released by health units. Note that each health unit reports the information in a different way.
Peterborough Public Health’s service area is the City and County of Peterborough and the Hiawatha and Curve Lake First Nations.
Confirmed positive: 83 (no change) Deaths: 2 (no change) Resolved: 72 (increase of 1) Total tests completed: Over 7,500 (increase of 150+) Institutional outbreaks: None (no change)
Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit
The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit’s service area is the City of Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County, and Haliburton County.
Confirmed positive: 170, including 147 in Kawartha Lakes, 16 in Northumberland, 7 in Haliburton (no change) Probable cases: 0 (no change) Hospitalizations: 11 (no change) Deaths: 32 (no change) Resolved: 145 (no change) Institutional outbreaks: Kawartha Lakes Retirement Residence in Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Court Long Term Care Home in Fenelon Falls, Empire Crossing Retirement Home in Port Hope (no change)
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health’s service area is Hastings County (including Bancroft) and Prince Edward County.
Confirmed positive: 43 (no change) Probable cases: 182 (decrease of 1) Deaths: 5 (no change) Hospitalized: 0 (no change) Hospitalized and in ICU: 0 (no change) Hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator: 0 (no change) Recovered: 32 (no change) Total tests completed: 7,152 (increase of 95) Institutional outbreaks: None
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Province of Ontario
Confirmed positive: 26,866 (increase of 383) Hospitalized: 833 (decrease of 14) Hospitalized and in ICU: 137 (decrease of 13) Hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator: 94 (decrease of 23) Deaths: 2,189 (increase of 34) Deaths of residents in long-term care homes: 1,377 (increase of 25, 62.9% of all deaths) Total tests completed 662,162 (increase of 17,615) Tests under investigation: 11,868 (increase of 51) Resolved: 20,673 (increase of 301)
New COVID-19 cases in Ontario from May 1 – 27, 2020. The red line is the number of new cases reported daily, and the dotted green line is a five-day moving average of new cases. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)COVID-19 tests completed in Ontario from May 1 – 27, 2020. The red line is the number of tests completed daily, and the dotted green line is a five-day moving average of tests completed. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
The Mary J. Benson Branch of the Port Hope Public Library at 31 Queen Street in Port Hope. (Photo: Eldestpleiad / Wikipedia - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link)
The Port Hope Public Library has announced it will be offering pick-up service at its main branch beginning on Tuesday, June 2nd.
Public libraries in Cobourg and Peterborough are also offering the service, after the Ontario government announced earlier this month that libraries would be allowed to provide pick-up and delivery as of May 19th.
The pick-up service will be available at the Mary J. Benson Branch (31 Queen St., Port Hope) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during weekdays, with expanded hours expected in the future.
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Library patrons can request holds on library materials through their library account at porthopepubliclibrary.ca, or call the library at 905-885-4712 during regular hours. If you aren’t sure what you want, you can speak with a library staff member to request a selection of books, DVDs, or music, based on your preferences.
Patrons who had materials on hold before the library closed will be considered a priority.
When materials are ready for pick-up, the library will call or email. The pick-up location is in the library’s parking lot at the south side of the building. There will be no public access to the library building itself.
When arriving for pick-up, patrons should drop any library materials to be returned into the drop-box, park in one of the numbered pick-up spots, and then call the library. A staff member will bring the materials out and place them in the trunk of the vehicle.
Patrons are asked to be patient if there is a high demand for service — staff will process requests as quickly as possible.
For safety, all returned materials are quarantined for 72 hours before being placed back into circulation.
For updates and more information about the Port Hope Public Library, visit porthopepubliclibrary.ca.
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