Stores remain open, most everything else closed in Frontenac County.

Jeff Green | Mar 18, 2020

Even before the announcement of a state of emergency and the forced closure of bars and restaurants, as well as gatherings over 50 people, Frontenac County municipalities, community services organisations, restaurants and other businesses had already taken steps.

As of now, all municipal recreational facilities in Frontenac County, Addington Highlands and Tay Valley township are closed. Municipal offices are closed to the public, but are still operating and staff can be contacted vis phone or email.

(Statements from all four townships are reprinted at the end of this article)

Branches of both the L&A and Kingston Frontenac Public Libraries are also closed until further notice.

Southern Frontenac Community Services has suspended Grace Centre Social Activity’s Diners Club and SALT events, foot care, and volunteer hospice and bereavement services.

Access to the Grace Centre is restricted to the side entrance and portables, with screening. Adult Day Services are still being offered. Transportation services are restricted to essential drives only. Frozen meals on wheels remain available as well as hot meals on wheels. Extra precautions are in place at the Meals on Wheels program. The Food bank will be open only on Wednesdays – food bank clients will receive pre-packaged hampers only and will be met at the door. Home-making and in-home respite services are also reduced to essential needs only. For further information, call 613-376-6477.

Rural Frontenac Community Services (RFCS) has shut down its daycare in Sharbot Lake and EarlyOn programming throughout Frontenac County, and The Child Centre is closed.

As far as services for adults and seniors are concerned RFCS Diners have been suspended, but meals on wheels continues, and may have its days increase as more senior’s are staying home. Senior’s respite, adult day and home help services are all continuing. The Adult Services building on Elizabeth Street in Sharbot Lake remains open and reception is being staffed. Many of the affiliate agencies that offer service at the Sharbot Lake office are now offering those services remotely, with workers working at home.  

Patient visits are being restricted at Pine Meadow Nursing Home (Northbrook) and Fairmount Home (Glenburnie) Only “essential visitors” are permitted to enter the home at this time, essential being defined as those who have a resident who is dying or very ill”. These visitors are being actively screened.

A scheduled meeting of Frontenac County Council on March 18 has been postponed until further notice.

All events scheduled at Frontenac Park are canceled and the Visitors Centre is closed. Day use of the park is still permitted so the trails are available.

Medical facilities have special restrictions in place as well (see article – call first .. on page …. Or look to “Coronavirus update” on page 7, which includes information about services at the Sharbot Lake Family Health Team and important information for the general public as well)

The vast majority, if not all, public events such as concerts, breakfasts, Lenten lunches and community dinners, have been canceled. Not only have the town halls been closed, but as of Tuesday morning church halls were closed as well. Church services are also canceled.

Conservation Authorities are closing their offices to the public and events such as Maple Madness at the Little Cat Conservation area and Maple Weekend in Lanark, Frontenac and Leeds and a Thousand Islands has also been canceled.

Trails and Conservation areas, on the other hand, remain open, and where fees are normally charged (such as the Rideau Valley Conservation areas) they have been suspended.

As of Tuesday, as well, restaurant service has been curtailed by provincial edict. Local restaurants are endeavoring to stay open by offering take-out. Best to call first to confirm hours and menu options. Pharmacies and grocery stores remain open, and some grocers have stepped up to offer home delivery for senior’s and those who are self-isolating. Check with your local store to see if they are offering the service. Hardware/building supply stores also remain open, and delivery services are also being bumped up by some. Convenience stores remain open and are operating as normal.

The best source of information about how to stay safe in the face of Covid-19 is KFLA Public Health. Go to https://www.kflaph.ca/en/healthy-living/novel-coronavirus.aspx

Statement from Central Frontenac Township

On March 16, 2020 at 10:30am the Township of Central Frontenac has closed ALL municipal buildings to the public including the municipal office. This includes all council meetings and municipal hall rentals. Waste sites will still be open as normal however, safety precautions are in place at each site. These measures are being put into place to put the health and safety of everyone at the forefront. Municipal staff will still be reporting to work and available by telephone 613-279-2935. This closure will stay in effect indefinitely and reviewed on a regular basis.

For more information please go to our website www.centralfrontenac.com.

In addition, a council meeting scheduled for April 24 has been canceled

Statement from Addington Highlands Township

Effective Monday March 16, 2020 As the Coronavirus/COVID-19 situation evolves, protecting the health and well-being of our residents and our workforce is our top priority. As a precautionary measure, the Township of Addington Highlands has closed both branches of the Addington Highlands Public Library. In addition, all Recreation Facilities are closed. All programming, rentals and events have been cancelled. Residents are still able to access the Lakelands Family Health Team at the Addington Highlands Community Centre – Denbigh during regular operating hours. Please check the Lakelands Family Health Team Facebook page and/or Web-page for updates on hours of operation. The Township Office is now closed to the public. We encourage residents to contact the Township by calling 613-336-2286 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. At this time, these closures are in effect until April 6, 2020. A council meeting scheduled for March 17 went ahead as scheduled. A budget meeting, scheduled for March 19, has been deferred the morning of the next scheduled council meeting, April 7.

Statement from North Frontenac Township

As a result of the COVID-19 virus and per the Township’s Emergency Plan, the Emergency Operations Centres was activated today and in concert with Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington (KFL&A) Public Health and other municipalities, Mayor Ron Higgins advises the Township of North Frontenac will be closing facilities to the public until further notice. This includes the following facilities: ( Municipal Office ( Community Halls ( Public Libraries All Waste Disposal Sites remain open, regularly scheduled hours at this time. Emergency Services remain in effect and in the event of an emergency, dial 9-1-1. Staff will be working regular scheduled hours and are here to serve you via the telephone or email. Also, the Municipal Office has a mail slot available. A council meeting, scheduled for Friday March 20, is going ahead as scheduled. The Municipal Office entrance door will open at 8:30 a.m. for the purpose of attending

the Council Meeting only. Access will only be permitted into the Council Chambers, after each individual has been screened by the North Frontenac Fire Department.

Statement from South Frontenac Township

The Township of South Frontenac has decided to enact the following heightened procedures and closures, effective immediately. The Administrative offices at the town hall on George St., our public services facility on Keeley Rd, and all municipally owned facilities that are used for recreational purposes will be closed to the public effective immediately.

These facilities include, but are not limited to;Glendower Hall, Sydenham Library Community Room, Princess Anne Community Centre, Harris Park Hall, Storrington Centre, South Frontenac Museum, All Parks & Fields for the purpose of scheduled events and gatherings.

All fire stations in the township will be closed to the public, only essential staff and fire department personnel are permitted to access these buildings.

Township staff can be contacted via phone or email. Planning and building services remain operational.

The deadline for payment of the Interim Tax bill (originally March 31, 2020) has been extended to April 30, 2020. We are encouraging payments to be made through online banking, by mail or via credit card.

A Council meeting, scheduled for March 17, went ahead as scheduled.

(Editors note – updates from the townships regarding the ‘new normal’ for municipal operations kept coming in to our office until late in the day on Tuesday, March 17. We have endeavored to capture everything but readers can confirm for themselves by checking township websites.)