In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, County of Renfrew declared a state of emergency on March 30, 2020 under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. The media release states as follows:
At 2 p.m. today, Warden Debbie Robinson declared a state of emergency due to the global COVID-19 pandemic across the entirety of the County of Renfrew under the Emergency Management and Protection Act.
The County of Renfrew along with local municipalities, and the Renfrew County and District Health Unit are working collectively to ensure that all measures are being taken to protect our residents, staff and visitors during this difficult time.
“We know that this is a challenging time for County residents; as such this declaration of an emergency allows the County of Renfrew to enact measures, make key decisions, and access future funding from the Province,” Warden Robinson said.
This declaration of emergency will further assist the County of Renfrew in maintaining essential services and addressing the increasing threat of the COVID 19 outbreak in an effective manner. The declaration also evokes the County of Renfrew Emergency Response Plan and its Emergency Operations Centre.
The Warden acknowledged the “hard work done by so many to this point however based on current information residents need to be vigilant.”
“I’m asking residents to stay at home, and follow the directions of the Renfrew County and District Health Unit, the Provincial and Federal Governments so that County of Renfrew and its residents are best prepared to protect their own health and that of the most vulnerable in our community,” Warden Robinson commented. “Today I have declared a state of emergency for Renfrew County, with the focus on supporting local municipalities and residents that are being impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic here in the County. I would ask that residents continue to be vigilant about their safety and of those around them in these difficult times. I also want residents to be assured that the County of Renfrew, along with all the local municipalities in the County, are making every effort to provide support where and when needed.”
Rapidly changing conditions in relation to this pandemic continue to pose a threat to our healthcare system and with two long-term care homes under County management the County is taking all necessary measures to protect our communities’ most vulnerable members. The Province of Ontario and many Eastern Ontario municipalities have also issued states of emergency. For safety, all residents should stay at home, monitor their health conditions, and check for updated messages, exercise caution and social distancing.
For up-to-date information on COVID-19, please visit the Renfrew County and District Health Unit website at www.rcdhu.ca. or the Province of Ontario’s site at www.ontario.ca/coronavirus.
If you live in Renfrew County, have a non-emergency health concern (including a concern related to COVID-19) and need to speak to a physician, you should first call your family physician’s office.
If you do not have a family physician or cannot access your family physician, please call the new Renfrew County Virtual Triage and Assessment Centre (RC VTAC) at 1-844-727-6404 to be connected to a family physician or nurse practitioner or visit www.rcvtac.ca
Until further notice County of Renfrew Buildings will not be allowing public walk-in access, services are continuing to be provided. County staff are asking the public to conduct their communications with them via telephone, or by email. For more information on County services and how to contact us please visit: https://www.countyofrenfrew.on.ca/en/covid-19.aspx
Barber,M. (2020,Mar.30) County of Renfrew Declares a State of Emergency [media release]
