Contact(s)
COVID-19 is a respiratory virus with pneumonia-like symptoms. There are confirmed cases in Canada, including Ontario. The Town of Bracebridge is working closely with the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit and other community partners to monitor the global situation and respond accordingly.
| COVID-19 Community Relief Fund |
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As part of the municipality’s efforts to support the community during this time, the Town of Bracebridge has created the COVID-19 Community Relief Fund (CRF), which will provide grants to impacted organizations in specific areas. The CRF, in the amount of $40,000, was established and passed by Council at their meeting on April 22nd, 2020. There will be an initial intake period until May 8th, though this may change dependent on future updates related to the pandemic. Those applications for assistance can be submitted up to 4:30 p.m. on May 8th to be considered for potential funding. |
What you Need to Know
It is good to be prepared for the potential arrival of widespread community transmission of the virus. The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit has information on their website about preparing for a pandemic.
Flattening the Curve Through Social and Physical Distancing
As stated by Federal and Provincial health care officials, it is urgent that Bracebridge residents take steps immediately to limit the number of people we come in contact with to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Public health experts recommend:
Stay home
• Avoid all non-essential trips into your community.
Practice physical distancing
• Physical distancing means keeping 2 meters or 6 feet between you and another person.
• Everyone should practice physical distancing to reduce their exposure to other people.
• Everyone should do their best to avoid close contact with people outside of their immediate families.
Practice proper hygiene
• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 15 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Sneeze and cough into your sleeve.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
For the most up-to-date local information, visit the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit website.
For information on the measures involved with self-isolating, please visit the page prepared by the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Government of Canada on How To Isolate At Home When You Have COVID-19.
| COVID-19 Assessment Centre |
| One COVID-19 Assessment Centre opened in Bracebridge on Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Patient access to the Assessment Centre is by appointment only Monday through Friday, by referral from a health care provider. The Assessment Centre is not open for walk-in visits.
For more information on how to access to the Muskoka Assessment Centre locations, click here. For the full media release visit the Algonquin Family Health Team website: |
Emergency Orders and Contact Information
The Province of Ontario has issued a number of Emergency Orders in recent days under the authority of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. It is essential that everybody follow these emergency orders at all times to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The following is a summary of the emergency orders currently in effect throughout Ontario, as well as the proper contact reporting information for members of the public who wish to report a suspected violation of an order.
Additional information for any of these emergency orders may be obtained by visiting news.ontario.ca
| Violation Reporting Numbers |
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Impact on Town Services
The Town has business continuity plans in place to ensure essential Town services continue to be delivered.
Bracebridge Memorial Arena and Bracebridge Sportsplex |
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The Arena and Sportsplex are closed. All programs and services offered to the public are cancelled until further notice.
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Bracebridge Public Library |
| The Library is closed and and all programs and services offered to the public are cancelled until further notice. Please check the Library website for further information. |
Bracebridge Transit and Bracebridge Mobility |
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In an effort to keep transit riders moving for the purpose of accessing necessary destinations such as grocery stores, pharmacies and employment, Bracebridge Transit and Bracebridge Mobility are continuing to provide service to riders. Residents are being strongly reminded that until further notice, Bracebridge Transit and Bracebridge Mobility are to be used for essential trips only. In order to protect both transit riders and staff, riders are being directed to only use the service for the purposes of accessing necessary destinations such as grocery stores, pharmacies, banks and employment. Extra safety precautions continue to be in effect. The Town continues to work closely with the service provider, Hammond Transportation Ltd., in regard to safety precautions and operations. As a reminder to riders, the Town of Bracebridge is advising of the following safety procedures:
Town staff are available to provide assistance with both Bracebridge Mobility and Bracebridge Transit via telephone at 705-645-5264 or email at transit@bracebridge.ca. Please note that the Bracebridge Transit phone line (705-645-8444) will be temporarily forwarded to the main Town of Bracebridge phone line. |
The Chapel Gallery (Muskoka Arts and Crafts) |
| The Chapel Gallery is closed to in-person traffic until further notice. Staff are available via telephone at (705) 645-5501, or by email at info@muskokaartsandcrafts.com. |
Municipal Office |
| Effective at 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Tuesday March 17, 2020, the Municipal Office located at 1000 Taylor Court will be closed to walk-in customers. Staff are available to provide assistance via telephone and email during regular business hours, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
Muskoka Small Business Centre |
| The Muskoka Small Business Centre is closed to in-person traffic, but is available via telephone at 705-646-9021. |
Oakley Village Square Community Centre |
| The Oakley Village Square Community Centre in Vankoughnet is closed until further notice. |
Visitor Information Centre |
| The Visitor Information Centre is closed to foot traffic until further notice. We are pleased to assist you via phone, email or social media, and can be contacted at 705-645-8121 or info@bracebridgechamber.com. |
| Parks and Trails |
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All park amenities are closed following an emergency order made by the Province of Ontario on March 30, 2020, in accordance with the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, to close all recreational and outdoor amenities. The closure includes: sport courts, sport fields, disc golf, dog park, skate park, playgrounds, picnic shelters and other park amenities. Parks and open spaces remain open and residents are reminded to practice physical distancing and avoid social gathering. The Town recognizes that outdoor activity and exercise is important during this difficult uncertain time. As the Town would encourage residents to enjoy nature responsibly during the COVID-19 crisis, we would also like to remind residents that Town trail conditions are currently unsafe due to extremely icy conditions and regular seasonal flooding. Users are encouraged to stay off the trails until conditions improve. In public areas where there are currently no restrictions in place, we encourage all users to follow these guidelines: • Stay home if you are exhibiting symptoms or feeling unwell; • Maintain physical distance of at least 2 metres at all times; • If 2 metres is not possible, users should depart the area immediately; • If using trails, warn other users of your presence and allow for appropriate passing distance; • Please take your garbage home as Town garbage cans are not sanitized; • Refrain from using benches and other public amenities during this time; • Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces if needed; and • Wash your hands immediately when you return home.
Questions in relation to Parks, Trails and other outdoor public spaces such as Boat Launches can be directed to Gillian Mitchell, Parks and Trails Foreperson at gmitchell@bracebridge.ca |
Additional Information Sources
District of Muskoka - COVID-19 Updates
District of Muskoka - COVID-19 Food and Community Supports
Stop the Spread Business Information Line (Toll-Free), 1-888-444-3659
District of Muskoka - Waste Collection Program Changes