Crediting residents in doing an "incredible job" following public health guidelines throughout the current pandemic, Penetanguishene will be reopening several municipal buildings next week.
The reopenings of the town hall, public works administration building and the fire hall start Monday morning and are based on guidance from Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit and aligns with the Province of Ontario’s plan to gradually relax its emergency orders.
While the fire hall and public works building will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., the town hall will welcome residents between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. All locations will have a full closure from 12 to 1 p.m. to allow for proper cleaning protocols and a full staff lunch break. The town's library wecomed back patrons earlier this month.
"Safety will continue to be a top priority through this transition,” CAO Jeff Lees said in a release. “Staff have worked tirelessly to put a plan in place that balances our desire to reopen Town facilities as soon as reasonably possible while also carefully planning how to best implement provincial health orders and directives in order to protect the health and safety of the public and our employees and to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”
The situation's different at Penetanguishene's neighbours, however.
While Midland has opened the North Simcoe Recreation Centre (with strict limits on the number of people in the building) and playgrounds, the library isn't slated to open until August 10 and there's no firm date for reopening town hall.
"We continue to offer essential services, services by appointment, opening some facilities/amenities and supporting those allowed to open under Stage 3," Midland spokesman Randy Fee said. "Our Town staff is also working on the Town Hall recovery plan for non-scheduled public access and increased onsite staffing."
In Tay, there are no firm timelines in play.
"With the plan in place, we have no firm reopening date as yet," CAO Lindsay Barron said. "We're relying on guidance from the health unit and what our neighbouring municipalities are doing. We might be looking at mid- to late-August, based on what we know today. I think it's important to bring staff back to the building first and gaining that comfort level and testing out those protocols to make sure we're following them."
Tiny and Tay Township also seem to be taking a wait-and-see approaches.
Added Tiny spokeswoman Kristi Czovek: "A date has not yet been set for reopening municipal facilities to the public."
Meanwhile in Penetanguishene, some appointments are still required, specifically for any planning and development department services, including applying for building permits or to speak with staff in the planning or by-law offices. Appointments can be made by calling: (705) 549-2673.
And while not a necessity, residents are also encouraged to make an appointment for all other matters since town staff will be working on and off-site on a rotational basis and this is expected to help ensure that the appropriate team member is available to answer any questions or concerns.
