South Frontenac Calls for Seasonal residents to stay home,

Jeff Green | Apr 03, 2020

COVID-19 Response: Call to Visitors & Seasonal Property Owners

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve locally, it is vital that we all do our part to help flatten the curve. In an effort to keep our community safe and reduce the impact on regional health care centres and local supply chains, the Township is encouraging cottagers and recreational visitors to delay their arrival this spring.

As the novel coronavirus continues to spread, some families may be thinking of venturing out to their cottage, camp, secondary residence or a vacation rental property as a better place to self-isolate than a population-dense city.

However, KFL&A Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kieran Moore, is encouraging visitors to temporarily delay their visit as “This practice has the unintended consequences of spreading COVID-19 in our rural communities and exhausting local resources, including healthcare.” Dr. Moore is recommending that these temporary measures remain in place until May 1, 2020.

This position is also endorsed by the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, Theresa Tam, who stated, “Urban dwellers/Cottagers should RESIST THE URGE to head to the cottage and rural properties as these communities have less capacity to manage COVID19.”

In addition to visiting private seasonal properties, we are asking that individuals also refrain from visiting trailer parks and campgrounds. KFL&A Public Health has issued the following requirements for trailer park establishments:

1. Operators should only permit seasonal users (no short-term users); 2. Any comfort stations must be thoroughly cleaned at least twice daily; 3. Playgrounds and parks on the site of the trailer park must be closed; and,4. Social gatherings are not permitted and any shared hall or outdoor gazebo/structure must be closed.

Mayor Ron Vandewal echoed the need to resist the call of the cottage, “I understand cottagers desire to escape to their camp or secondary residence at this time. While we would normally welcome these visitors with open arms, we ask that you delay your visit to South Frontenac until we can ensure this pandemic has come to an end.

”The Township wants to stress that this request does not apply to those that must return home to their primary domestic residence; however, we remind everyone that the Federal government’s mandatory 14-day isolation period applies to all those returning from abroad.In summary, the Township encourages seasonal property owners & visitors to do the following:

 Temporarily delay visits to secondary or seasonal dwellings, including cottages, trailers, rental properties and hunting camps.

 If you reside locally in a trailer or RV during the spring & summer months, please consider temporarily parking at a friend or family member’s property for the duration of the pandemic where you are still able to maintain physical distancing.

 If you are a resident returning home from abroad to your primary domestic residence, then this request does not apply; however, the Federal