The Current receives updates from government agencies and ministries almost hourly. Here are highlights from announcements during the past 24 hours that may affect Valley residents. Scroll down for a link to the full text of each update.
Ontario Parks closed
If you planned to take the kids on a trip to an Ontario Park during COVID-19, you’re out of luck. Ontario Parks issued a bulletin last night saying all provincial parks/campground are closed as of today, March 19. Full refunds will be automatically issued on existing reservations with arrivals up to April 30, with no penalty.
Canada Post responds to impact of C-19
Canada Post issued two statements yesterday suspending on-time delivery guarantees and implementing no signature/safe drop procedures for deliveries. Here are excerpts from the statements:
On-Time Delivery Guarantees suspended: As a result of potential impacts related to our local facilities and air transportation, we are letting you know that effective today (March 18) Canada Post will be suspending our On-time Delivery Guarantees for all parcel services, until further notice. This means that some residents and businesses may begin to experience slower than normal delivery times.
Signature requirement for deliveries suspended:
To help minimize points of close contact in our communities, we will no longer be requesting signatures for any deliveries to the door. This will eliminate the need for scanners and stylus pens to be passed back and forth during the delivery process of these items.
Instead, where possible, our delivery agents will apply our safe drop process. This means they will leave these items in your mailbox or outside your door if it’s safe to do so. Where it’s not possible to safe drop, our delivery agent will leave a notice card indicating the post office where you can pick up your items by showing proof of identity.
Ontario extending validation periods for driver, vehicle and carrier products, services and health cards
Today, the Ministry of Transportation and Ministry of Health, in cooperation with the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services and ServiceOntario, announced it is extending the validity period of driving products, services and health cards. These changes reduce the need for in-person visits to ServiceOntario, International Registration Plan offices and DriveTest centres during the COVID-19 outbreak, in an effort to promote social distancing and contain the spread of the virus.Ontario extending validation periods for driver, vehicle and carrier products, services and health cards
These new regulations include extensions for driver licences, licence plate validation, Ontario Photo Cards, and Commercial Vehicle Operator Registration certificates, among others. Expiring and expired health cards will continue to provide access to health services.
The Ministry of Transportation is also automatically extending the due dates for medical or vision reports, which both reduces the need for in-person visits, but also ensures that patients do not need to visit their doctors, helping the health system to focus on containing COVID-19.
Changes to front-line justice services announced by province
Also on March 19 Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, and Doug Downey, Attorney General, issued a joint statement in response to COVID-19 outlining the government’s commitment to keep communities safe while continuing to hold offenders accountable. The province’s justice system will utilize technology solutions and prioritize urgent matters during the COVID-19 outbreak. Ontario’s judges and justices of the peace continue to prioritize critical matters such as criminal and child protection proceedings. Courts and tribunals are also deferring non-urgent matters until they can be managed safely and securely.
All Tribunals Ontario in-person proceedings, including at the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal, Landlord and Tenant Board and Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, are postponed and will be rescheduled at a later date. Where feasible, alternative hearing options such as written and telephone hearings will be considered. Front-line counter services will be closed until further notice. The following actions have been taken across the justice system:
- The Superior Court of Justice has suspended all regular court operations until further notice, while continuing to hear urgent matters during this emergency period.
- All sittings of the Small Claims Court in Ontario are suspended until further notice.
- The Ontario Court of Justice has established procedures to reduce the number of people who attend court in-person for criminal and family matters. All non-urgent matters have been adjourned.
- All Provincial Offences Act matters scheduled up to and including April 3, 2020 will be adjourned and rescheduled to a later date. Tickets, fines or other court business may be handled online.
- The Court of Appeal has suspended all scheduled appeals until April 3, 2020. During this period, urgent appeals will be heard based on either the written materials or remotely.
Sources:
Wheeler,G. Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (2020,Mar.18) Ontario Update on Ontario Parks Operations in Response to COVID-19 [statement]
Canada Post Solutions for Small Business (2020,Mar.18) Update from Canada Post: Service Guarantees [statement] and Coronavirus (COVID-19): Update from Canada Post [statement]
Salituro,C. Ministry of Transportation (2020,Mar.19) Ontario Extending Validation Periods for Driver, Vehicle and Carrier Products, Services and Health Cards [news release]
Crognali,J. Ministry of the Attorney General (2020,Mar.19) Ontario Protecting Critical Front-Line Justice Services in Response to COVID-19 [statement]
Thank you for your timely updates.