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State of Emergency

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Red Lake Declares State Of Emergency

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The Municipality of Red Lake is the latest regional community to declare a state of emergency.

The declaration is due to the COVID-19 outbreak around the world and enables the community to act quickly as the emergent crisis evolves.

It also provides the community to access special provincial funding to help offset the costs of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic if money becomes available.

The move also allows heightened awareness to local residents of the public health situation and to help ensure people follow public health and provincial directives.

Red Lake Mayor Fred Mota says, “It is essential for our residents to understand that the declaration of an Emergency at this time is intended to provide reassurance to the community that the municipality is doing everything within its control. It is times like this, that we, as Red Lakers can make a difference.”

Mota adds, “I urge all residents to follow all public health guidelines. Please continue to do your part and stay home. Together we can slow the spread of this virus and keep our community safe.”

For more information head over to redlake.ca

Red Lake State Of Emergency by Rayson Martyn on Scribd

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Sioux Lookout Declares State Of Emergency

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Sioux Lookout is the latest municipality to declare a State of Emergency.

The measure is aimed at providing heightened awareness to community members concerning the COVID-19 pandemic and to remind residents the importance of social distancing and self-isolation.

It will make it easier for the municipality to access special provincial funding to help offset the costs of responding to the health crisis, if that money is made available.

The declaration also puts the community in a better position to act quickly and appropriately as the emergency evolves.

Mayor Doug Lawrance says “It is critical for the public to understand that the declaration of an Emergency at this time is intended to provide reassurance to the community that the municipality is doing everything in its power, in conjunction with our partners, and in accordance with the advice of public health experts, to ensure the safety and health of our residents.”

Lawrance adds “and to maintain the ongoing provision of essential services, as well as continuity of Municipal business operations.”

He notes Sioux Lookout is already “convening and participating on regular teleconference meetings among both local and area organizations, agencies, and communities to ensure and benefit from enhanced communications and coordination. Our role as a hub for healthcare, services, travel, and employment factors into our considerations.”

For more information visit http://www.nwhu.on.ca/covid19

Additional municipal information can be found at http://www.siouxlookout.ca

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Dryden Declares State Of Emergency

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The City of Dryden has declared a State of Emergency due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The declaration is needed to ensure the town is in a position to receive government support to deal with the pandemic if it’s needed.

It also underscores the urgency of the situation and the importance of self-isolation.

The deceleration has no other impact on area residents.

The City’s Emergency Control Group will continue to meet regularly under the local state of emergency now in place and only emergency and core City services are being carried out.

Mayor Greg Wilson says “This decision to declare an emergency is never taken lightly. Our Council and our community stand behind all frontline workers who protect and serve our residents in these difficult times. Municipal efforts are focused on the COVID-19 pandemic for the health and safety of everyone, but we need all our residents to act together. If you asked to self-isolate, you must comply. Refusing to do so is irresponsible and places our community at risk.”

Chief Administrative Officer Roger Nesbitt says municipal staff continue to monitor the situation and are taking appropriate actions to address the evolving situation.

“While municipal staff, public health, health care and other community stakeholders are working tirelessly to prepare for the impacts from COVID-19, we need all of our residents to practice social-distancing and to strictly follow guidelines and mandates to self-isolate. We need to do everything we can to slow this virus down and help our health care providers deal with the expected surge of COVID-19 patients.”

There are no reported cases in Dryden.

For City of Dryden information related to the coronavirus visit http://www.dryden.ca/covid19

 

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Ontario Government Declares State Of Emergency

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A State of Emergency has been declared in Ontario.

Premier Doug Ford made the announcement this morning.

Ford says “we are facing an unprecedented time in our history. This is a decision that was not made lightly. COVID-19 constitutes a danger of major proportions.”

The emergency order means:

1. The prohibition of organized public events of over 50 people, including parades, events, and services within places of worship until March 31st.

2. The following establishments are closed effective immediately until March 31:
-All Bars and Restaurants (except to provide takeout food and delivery) *Businesses with Dine-in ability like Pizza Hut will still be offering takeout and delivery service)
-All facilities providing indoor recreational programs
-All public libraries
-All private schools
-All licensed child care centres
-All theatres, including those offering live performances of music, dance and other art forms
-All movie theatres
-Concert venues

Ford stresses this is not a provincial shutdown, noting most businesses will continue to operate as normal.

He adds essential services will be available and grocery stores, convenience stores, manufacturing facilities, pharmacies, public transportation, construction sites and office building will all continue to operate.

Ford says “Right now we need to do everything possible to slow the spread of COVID-19 in order to avoid overwhelming our health care system. The health and well-being of every Ontarian must be our number one priority.`

Ontario is also investing up to $304 million to enhance the province’s response to COVID-19 by providing the following:

  • $100 million for increased capacity in hospitals to assist with the effective treatment of COVID-19 patients both in critical care and medicine beds.
  • $50 million for more testing and screening through public health, including additional funding to support extraordinary costs incurred to monitor, detect and contain COVID-19 in the province. This includes contact tracing, increased laboratory testing capacity and home testing.
  • $50 million to further protect frontline workers, first responders and patients by increasing the supply of personal protective equipment and other critical supplies and equipment to protect them.
  • $25 million to support frontline workers working in COVID-19 assessment centres, including the creation of a new fund to provide respite care, child care services and other supports as they are needed.
  • $50 million for long-term care homes&nb sp;to support 24/7 screening, additional staffing to support infection control and additional supplies.
  • $20 million for residential facilities in developmental services, gender-based services and protective care for children and youth to support additional staffing, respite for caregivers impacted by school closures, personal protective equipment and supplies and transportation costs to minimize client exposure and to support social distancing, as well as additional cleaning costs.
  • $5 million to protect seniors in retirement homes through increased infection control and active screening procedures.
  • $4 million for Indigenous communities to support transportation costs for health care professionals and the distribution of critical supplies.

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State Of Emergency Issued In North Spirit Lake

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The remote northwestern Ontario community of North Spirit Lake First Nation has declared a state of emergency.

Chief Caroline Keesic says a drug addiction epidemic and a breakdown of the communities water system has caused a widespread crisis.

Officials believe the situation will worsen without an immediate coordinated effort by all appropriate government departments, agencies and partners to send relief.

North Spirit Lake, is located about 170 kilometres northeast of Red Lake,

You can only get there by air and during the winter road season.

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Neskantaga First Nation Denied Evacuation

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The remote community of Neskantaga says it’s in an extreme crisis after a request for an emergency evacuation was denied.

They asked the federal government to help transport vulnerable community members after their water pumps broke down.

The Chief of the First Nation in the Kenora District says he’s appalled with the decision to deny their request, noting 188 people are mostly severely affected by contaminated water.

In a statement, Chris Moonias says the community is extremely concerned.

Neskantaga, also known as Landsdowne House, has been under a boil-water advisory since 1995.

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State Of Emergency Declared In Eabametoong First Nation

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Officials in Fort Hope First Nation are declaring a State of Emergency because of high levels of water contamination.

The community has been on a boil-water advisory for 18 years, but they say tests recently found certain chemicals were over twice the limit allowed in Ontario drinking water.

In a statement, Chief Harvey Yesno says they’ve contacted the federal Minister of Indigenous Services, but received no response, and no funding to upgrade their waste-water system.

Yesno says he’s concerned about the effects of the high levels of chemicals on their most vulnerable members, including newborns, as well as the risk of cancer.

The community of nearly 1,600 people is 360 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay.

Last week the remote northern community of Attawapiskat First Nation declared a State of Emergency over similar concerns.