Municipalities close public spaces to help flatten curve

Municipal officials have followed a quick succession of closures of all non-essential services in an effort to flatten the COVID-19 curve.
This week, all libraries, arenas, the youth centre, and community halls have closed.
Clearview council met Monday to make a few final decisions before adjourning.
Council chambers was rearranged so staff and council members could sit one to two metres apart from each other. The emergency meeting was called to make some decisions to support the community through these uncertain financial times.
“I am deeply concerned for the health and safety of our residents and all members of our community. I am concerned for our region the County of Simcoe, our province and our country. I have confidence and faith that our community will manage this crisis and come out of it with a better community, a caring community, a healthy community, and a renewed sense of safety in our community,” said Mayor Doug Measures. “Council, Clearview is not alone here. The entire country is involved in combating the COVID-19 pandemic, the entire world. The way we all win here is if we act locally to stop the spread of the Coronavirus. You know your own health. Please adhere to the advice of the experts. Remain calm and aware of your personal environment. Trust your colleagues.”
He said staff had met Monday morning to review and discuss service delivery. As of this week, the fire department and public works department are fully operational but closed to visitors. All municipal meetings and programs are cancelled and all facilities are closed until April 6, the same end date the province has given for the closure of all publicly funded schools in Ontario.
Transit is running but riders are asked to use social distancing and self-screening practices.
Council agreed Monday to give residents reprieve on their tax bills, extending the deadline one month to April 23.
Mulmur Township has also cancelled all council and committee meetings, public consultations and public gatherings until April 6. The arena is closed and events have been cancelled. Mulmur has also closed its offices and Public Works building to visitors until further notice.
Both municipalities remind residents that some services are offered online and staff is available by phone and e-mail.
Similarly, the counties of Simcoe and Dufferin have also closed facilities and cancelled meetings.
Curbside waste collection is continuing but the Simcoe County landfill site in Stayner is closed to the public.