The Ontario government has extended until Friday, June 19th all existing emergency orders made under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. The orders were set to expire on Tuesday, June 9th.

The extension comes after Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced on Friday (June 5) that the government will be releasing its plan next week for the second stage of reopening the province’s economy.

“It is critical that we keep these emergency orders in place so we can continue to reopen the province gradually and safely,” Ford said in a media release issued on Saturday (June 6). “We are not out of the woods yet, and this deadly virus still poses a serious risk.”

The government also announced it is extending the suspension of limitation periods and time periods in proceedings in the justice system until September 11th, to ensure people will not experience legal consequences if the original time requirements of their case are not met while the order is in effect. The province says it is working closely with the courts to ensure operations can resume as soon as it is safely possible.

On Tuesday (June 2), the Ontario legislature voted to extend the province’s state of emergency for another 28 days, until Tuesday, June 30th. Orders made under the state of emergency are only effective for 14 days unless they are renewed.

The government can amend or revoke an emergency order at any time. For example, the government is expected to announce additional amendments to emergency orders as it implements the stage two reopening plan, to be announced next week.

“We encourage businesses to begin preparing to reopen, so when the time comes, they will be able to protect employees, consumers and the general public,” Ford said.

Here’s a list of all the emergency orders that have been extended:

• Closure of Establishments
• Prohibiting Organized Public Events, Certain Gatherings
• Work Deployment Measures for Health Care Workers
• Drinking Water Systems and Sewage Works
• Electronic Service
• Work Deployment Measures in Long-Term Care Homes
• Closure of Places of Non-Essential Businesses
• Traffic Management
• Streamlining Requirements for Long-Term Care Homes
• Prohibition on Certain Persons Charging Unconscionable Prices for Necessary Goods 
• Closure of Outdoor Recreational Amenities
• Enforcement of Orders
• Work Deployment Measures for Boards of Health
• Work Deployment Measures in Retirement Homes
• Access to COVID-19 Status Information by Specified Persons
• Service Agencies Providing Services and Supports to Adults with Developmental Disabilities
• Pickup and Delivery of Cannabis
• Signatures in Wills and Powers of Attorney
• Use of Force and Firearms in Policing Services
• Child Care Fees
• Agreements Between Health Service Providers and Retirement Homes
• Temporary Health or Residential Facilities
• Work Deployment Measures for Service Agencies Providing Violence Against Women Residential Services and Crisis Line Services
• Limiting Work to a Single Long-Term Care Home
• Work Deployment Measures for District Social Services Administration Boards
• Deployment of Employees of Service Provider Organizations
• Work Deployment Measures for Municipalities
• Limiting Work to a Single Retirement Home
• Work Deployment Measures for Mental Health and Addictions Agencies
• Congregate Care Settings
• Access to Personal Health Information by Means of the Electronic Health Record
• Certain Persons Enabled to Issue Medical Certificates of Death
• Hospital Credentialing Processes
• Education Sector
• Management of Long-term Care Homes in Outbreak
• Management of Retirement Homes in an Outbreak
• Special Rules re: Temporary Pandemic Pay
• Electricity Price for RPP Consumers

The Ontario government will be releasing its plan next week for the second stage of reopening Ontario’s economy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Premier Doug Ford made the announcement at a media briefing at Queen’s Park on Friday (June 5), along with health minister Christine Elliot, finance minister Rod Phillips, and economic development minister Vic Fedeli.

“We’re making steady progress, and we’ll be ready very soon to take our next steps in restarting our economy,” Ford said.

But, he added, stage two reopening “won’t happen overnight”. Ford said that businesses will first need time to prepare to reopen.

“So early next week, we’ll share more details about stage two of the reopening of our province,” Ford said. “To be clear, stage two will not begin immediately. We’ll be giving notice to businesses to start getting ready.”

Ford also announced that, next week, the government will introduce a phased plan for reopening child care “safely and gradually” to support parents as they return to work.

“As much as stage two will be focused on getting people back to work, it is also about finding ways to try to get life back to normal this summer — even if it’s a little different than before,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to sharing more details early next week.”

A reporter asked Ford about an online petition from hair salon owners who are asking why people can’t get a haircut but they can go get a massage or go to the dentist.

“That makes sense,” Ford said, before passing the question to economic development minister Vic Fedeli. “I don’t disagree with it.”

Fedeli said the announcement next week would have more details on what businesses would be included in the stage two reopening.

“There are many sectors that want to open right away, but we’re always going to take the advice of the chief medical officer of health, the advice of our minister of health, the advice of all of our health professionals as we continue our cabinet discussions on what are essential businesses,” Fedeli said.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has again refused to commit to extending the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), despite the fact that June is the last month when Canadians who have applied for the benefit for four consecutive months will receive a payment.

Trudeau was responding to a reporter’s question during a media briefing on Friday (June 5), after he had announced the federal government would be providing $14 billion to provinces and territories to help them reopen their economies, as well as an automatic one-time tax-free payment of up to $600 to Canadians with disabilities.

A reporter asked Trudeau, in French, whether the federal government will extend the program or end it. The reporter pointed out that people who have been receiving CERB for the last four months need to prepare if the program will not be extended.

“We recognize that deadlines are arriving,” Trudeau replied, also in French. “We’re working as a government to look at the next steps. We will provide information on this to the media and to the citizens as decisions will be made.”

The CERB program currently provides a $2,000 payment per month for a maximum of four months.

Although the program runs until the fall, Canadians who first applied for CERB retroactively in March and then for each subsequent month will receive their last $2,000 payment in June.

Health units in the greater Kawarthas region are expanding testing at local assessment centres as a result of the Ontario government’s COVID-19 testing strategy announced last Friday (May 29).

The expanded testing now includes people with at least one symptom of COVID-19 (even mild or atypical symptoms), people who have no symptoms but are concerned they may have been exposed to COVID-19, and people who are at risk of exposure to COVID-19 either because of where they work or where they live.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 include: fever; chills; a new or worsening cough; a barking cough; making a whistling noise when breathing; shortness of breath or unable to breathe deeply; sore throat; difficulty swallowing; runny, stuffy or congested nose not related to seasonal allergies or other known causes or conditions; lost sense of taste or smell; pink eye (conjunctivitis); headache that’s unusual or long lasting; digestive issues (nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain); muscle aches; extreme tiredness that is unusual; falling down often; and, for young children and infants, sluggishness or lack of appetite.

Here’s where to get tested, whether you have COVID-19 symptoms or not:

Peterborough City and County and Hiawatha and Curve Lake First Nations

For rural residents, three new one-day clinics are available:

• Friday, June 5th from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Hiawatha First Nation L.I.F.E. Centre. This clinic is only for residents living south of the Hiawatha First Nation checkpoint.
• Saturday, June 6th from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Curve Lake School. This clinic is for Curve Lake First Nation residents only.
• Monday, June 8th from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Township of North Kawartha at the Apsley Paramedic Base, located beside the North Kawartha Medical Centre at 183 Burleigh Street, Apsley. This clinic is open to all permanent residents as well as seasonal residents.

All three one-day clinics are available as drive-through or walk-in clinics, and no is appointment necessary. Other locations throughout Peterborough County are currently being coordinated and will be announced shortly.

The drive-through clinic at the Kinsmen Civic Centre (1 Kinsmen Way, Peterborough) is intended for residents with no COVID-19 symptoms. The clinic is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday only and will continue until at least Friday, June 19th.

Residents with mild symptoms of COVID-19 should make an appointment at the assessment centre at Peterborough Regional Health Centre by calling 705-876-5086. The assessment centre is currently open Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Beginning Monday, June 8th, the hours will change to 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

City of Kawartha Lakes

To book an appointment at the Ross Memorial Hospital COVID-19 assessment centre, call 705-328-6217 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

Testing takes place at the Lindsay Exhibition (354 Angeline St. S., Lindsay) from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily.

Residents are encouraged to call to book a same-day appointment. While people without appointments can be tested at the centre, they may experience wait times.

Northumberland County

The Northumberland Hills Hospital COVID-19 assessment centre is open daily from 8 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Currently located in the Ambulatory Care Clinic, inside the hospital’s main entrance at 1000 DePalma Drive in Cobourg, the centre moves to a new location adjacent to the Emergency Department effective Monday, June 8th. Those arriving for assessment are asked to enter via the Emergency Department entrance (access to the centre will no longer be permitted through the hospital’s main entrance).

Assessments are available by appointment or on a walk-in basis (appointments are recommended to minimize wait times). People can the assessment centre at 905-377-7783 during operating hours in advance, if they are not sure if they should be assessed.

The Trent Hills COVID-19 assessment centre, located at the Rotary Hall boardroom at 175 Saskatoon Avenue in Campbellford, is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.

A referral is no longer required. To book a test, call 705-395-1801 during operating hours.

Haliburton County

The Haliburton County COVID-19 assessment centre, located at the Haliburton Family Medical Centre at 7217 Gelert Road in Haliburton, is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.

The assessment centre is for all residents of Haliburton County, regardless of whether they have a family doctor. To book an appointment for testing, call 705-457-1212 (press 6) during operating hours.

While testing is by appointment only, no person who is symptomatic or who is concerned they have been exposed to COVID-19 will be declined a test.

Hastings County

The North Hastings COVID-19 assessment centre, located at Qunite Healthcare Corporation at 1 Manor Lane in Bancroft, is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Appointment are preferred to avoid lengthy wait times. Call 613-332-2825 ext. 2222 to book an appointment.

This story has been updated to note the new location of the assessment centre at Northumberland Hills Hospital effective June 8th.

Farmers’ Markets Ontario has adopted COVID-19 guidelines developed by the Peterborough Regional Farmers Network (PRFN) in consultation with Peterborough Public Health.

The provincially recognized organization, representing over 180 farmers’ markets across the province, has revised the PRFN market operations guidelines document to be more generic for the use of other markets in Ontario.

“We moved early to deal with the impact of COVID-19 at both the downtown Peterborough Saturday and Wednesday markets”, says PRFN board chair Julie Fleming. “The advice and support of Peterborough Public Health throughout this challenging time has been incredible and I am so pleased that our local efforts will benefit other markets.”

Both the Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market and the Peterborough Downtown Farmers’ Market are members of Farmers’ Markets Ontario, which operates the MyPick verified local farmer program, and both markets place an emphasis on the promotion of products from verified local farmers.

The Peterborough Downtown Farmers’ Market operates on Wednesdays at the newly renovated Peterborough Square courtyard ast Charlotte and Water streets in downtown Peterborough, and the Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market operates on Saturdays at the Citi Centre courtyard at King and Aylmer streets.

As essential services, the markets are operating as “local grocery stores” during the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information about the Wednesday market, visit ptbodowntownmarket.com. For more information about the Saturday market, visit ptboregionalfarmersmarket.com.

PDF: Best Practices and Public Health Protocols for Operating a Multi-vendor, Multi-stand Farmers’ Market
Best Practices and Public Health Protocols for Operating a Multi-vendor, Multi-stand Farmers' Market

With schools closed, youth across Ontario are missing out on in-person celebrations of their accomplishments this year. GreenUP’s Wonders of Water team would like your help in celebrating the remarkable achievements of a group of grade 8 students at Monsignor O’Donaghue Catholic Elementary School in the east end of Peterborough.

Please toast with us as you read this story — raise a glass of water in honour of these student leaders.

This story begins in September 2019. The grade 8 class at Monsignor O’Donaghue — MO’D as it is affectionately known — was starting their science program for the year. As part of a new “deep learning” process, the students were given the freedom to lead their own learning through problem solving and collaboration.

The teachers, Ashley Fitzgerald and Krista Wells-Skinners, assumed the role of supportive facilitators instead of directors or leaders.

Their science program began with a screening of A Plastic Ocean, a 2016 documentary film that looks at plastic pollution choking the world’s oceans and emphasizes the need for a “wave of change”.

VIDEO: “A Plastic Ocean” Trailer

“We had group discussions about the documentary,” explains student A.J. Whitney. “We had to be patient and inclusive. It was so much fun sharing my ideas and having very loose guidelines.”

After much discussion, the students narrowed their focus on how they wanted to proceed in their science program for the year.

“The kids were the ones making all the decisions,” observes grade 8 student Erin Livings.

The students felt strongly about being part of that “wave of change” mentioned in the documentary. They wanted to support water preservation with real actions, and they wanted to start with goals for change right at home by focusing on the use of water in the school itself.

“We chose the water refill station as our goal,” says Austin Gallagher, one of the students who led this project. “Our water stations at the time barely worked. We wanted to promote reusable water bottles so less people would bring in disposable water bottles.”

Applying for a Wonders of Water Deep Learning Water Retrofit was one way to realize that goal. Karen O’Krafka, coordinator of GreenUP’s Wonders of Water program, had sent the retrofit grant expression of interest criteria to all Peterborough city and county schools. The students reviewed the criteria and wrote an email to O’Krafka asking for support to change their school’s infrastructure and, ultimately, their relationship with water.

Citing aging water fountain infrastructure at MO’D as a driving reason for dependence on single-use plastic water bottles, the email proposed a student-researched solution. They would install water bottle refill stations at MO’D, and use this important water retrofit as the catalyst for a school-wide water education program designed and delivered by the grade 8 students themselves.

The students named their project “CAPS off Water”, an acronym representing the conservation, awareness, protection, and stewardship of water. These are the core pillars of the Peterborough Children’s Water Festival and the basis of the Wonders of Water Program. “CAPS off Water” is also a useful mnemonic for remembering the goal of reducing single-use plastic water bottles.

The students formed groups to focus on all the different areas they wanted to cover. As part of this school-wide education program, students took on a broad range of projects.

They made art displays communicating the core elements of water conservation. They applied for additional grants, including Ecoleague funding. They designed reusable water bottles. They wrote children’s books about plastic pollution in water. They created awareness-building posters. The students even planned to lead their very own World Water Day assembly in advance of the Peterborough Children’s Water Festival.

Each of these projects was completely spearheaded by the students and their vision for creating an enduring legacy at MO’D.

“We had come to a decision that we thought would have a lasting impact on the school,” says student Lucas Pronk.

As a result of the collaborative efforts of these students, two water refill stations were installed at MO’D before March break.

“After the water stations were installed, it was amazing to see how many kids were using them,” observes student Ireland Payne.

“It was so much fun to see this project go from an idea to having a line-up at the water refill station,” adds student Macy Harper.

To celebrate Earth Day in April, the students had planned to host an assembly, a media event, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony. They had eagerly designed an activity centre for the Peterborough Children’s Water Festival to demonstrate peer-to-peer learning.

Then schools closed and the water festival cancelled because of COVID-19.

While we can’t demonstrate this remarkable student-led learning and leadership in large gatherings as the students had planned, we can still celebrate and share the accomplishments of these students with you at home.

Together apart, we can share with you that this group of remarkable student leaders at Monsignor O’Donaghue have been awarded with GreenUP’s School Engagement Award for participation in education workshops and events, including the Wonders of Water workshops and Active School Travel planning.

Thank you for reading this article and sharing in this celebration from home.

You can find out more about the Wonders of Water program at greenup.on.ca/wow or connect with Karen O’Krafka, GreenUP’s Water Education Programs Coordinator, at karen.okrafka@greenup.on.ca.