Frontenac County declares state of emergency in response to community transmission

Jeff Green | Mar 26, 2020

With evidence of community spread of COVID-19 in the KFL&A region, the County of Frontenac has determined an emergency exists within our municipality that places our communities at risk.

The County of Frontenac is taking action to help contain the spread of this virus. Announced today, Warden Frances Smith is declaring a state of emergency within the County of Frontenac. This declaration implements the emergency plan of the municipality and will help protect the health, safety, well-being and property of our residents. This declaration of a state of emergency is effective immediately and will remain in effect until further notice.

"We are taking these extreme measures to get the message across to everyone in our region that this is indeed a real emergency. People need to pay attention. People need to stay home and self-isolate. This is not something that is just in the big cities. It's here and people need to act," said County of Frontenac Warden Frances Smith.

Dr. Kieran Moore, Medical Officer of Health at KFL&A Public Health said, “We must act now to address this serious public health threat. This situation clearly illustrates the highly contagious nature of COVID-19 and emphasizes the importance of practicing physical distancing and self-isolation in order to control the community spread of the virus,” Dr. Moore said.

During this difficult time, we are asking everyone in our community to take physical distancing seriously, especially around vulnerable populations and to stay at home to reduce the likelihood of further transmission. This includes self-isolation, maintaining at least two-metre distance from others, avoiding all unnecessary travel, washing your hands often, and regularly disinfecting high touch zones in shared spaces in your home. By acting decisively as a community, we can ensure the safety and well-being of our residents is maintained.

Although our municipal offices are closed to the public, essential services will continue to be provided. This includes Frontenac Paramedics, Fairmount Home -our long-term care home- and the Howe Island County Ferry. The County’s Planning and Economic Development staff remain available to consult with citizens and businesses as do all other County departments.

The declaration of an emergency under s 4 (1) of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act provides the County of Frontenac with more options to help protect the health and safety of individuals and families living in Frontenac, including increased procurement and expenditure authority and access to provincial funding should it become available.

Precautions to prevent transmission include self-isolation, maintaining at least two metre distance from others, avoiding all unnecessary travel, washing your hands often, and regularly disinfecting high touch zones in shared spaces.

For ongoing COVID-19 updates and ways to best protect you and your family visit www.Kflaph.ca/Coronavirus or www.Ontario.ca/coronavirus.

For more information contact Marco Smits, Communications Officer at the County of Frontenac at 613-548-9400 ext. 305