COVID-19 Updates

COVID-19 is a coronavirus. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. Some cause illness in people and others cause illness in animals. Human coronaviruses are common and are typically associated with mild illnesses, similar to the common cold. 

Symptoms of COVID 19:

Symptoms of COVID 19 range from mild – like the flu and other common respiratory infections – to severe, and can include fever, cough and difficulty breathing. Complications from COVID-19 can include serious conditions, like pneumonia or kidney failure.

There are no specific treatments for COVID-19, and there is no vaccine that protects against coronaviruses. Most people with common human coronavirus illnesses will recover on their own.

Health authorities recommend drinking plenty of fluids, getting rest and sleeping as much as possible and trying a humidifier or a hot shower to help with a sore throat or cough.

Municipality of Brockton's Mayor, Chris Peabody provides residents with a sixth video update regarding the Municipality's response to the COVID-19 pandemic on March 31, 2020 including the importance of physical distancing, recycling collection, office closures, recreational facility closures, and services at Brucelea Haven.

Municipality of Brockton's Mayor, Chris Peabody provides residents with a fifth video update regarding the Municipality's response to the COVID-19 pandemic on March 27, 2020 including the waiver of penalty and interest charges on tax bills, recycling collection, health care services, and a reminder to continue practicing physical distancing.

Municipality of Brockton's Mayor, Chris Peabody provides residents with a fourth update regarding the Municipality's response to the COVID-19 virus including the suspension of recycling collection, continued access along recreational trails, and COVID-19 Community Information Sheet.

Brockton Mayor Chris Peabody provided residents with an third update on the Municipality's response to COVID-19 on March 23, 2020, including the Declaration of a State of Emergency in response to COVID-19 as of March 23, 2020 at 6:00 p.m.

Brockton Mayor Chris Peabody provided residents with an additional update on the Municipality's response to COVID-19 on March 19, 2020.

Brockton Mayor Chris Peabody provided residents with an update on the Municipality's response to COVID-19 on March 16, 2020.

The Brockton Municipal Office will be closed to the public until further notice. Documents and payments can still be dropped off in the Drop-Off Box and will be processed by staff.

Lottery licensing and commissioning services are currently suspended. Marriage licensing will be postponed and reviewed by staff on a case-by-case basis.

Staff are investigating requirements and equipment to be able to hold remote Council Meetings in order to continue remaining accountable and transparent to our community.

As of March 24, 2020 the Municipality of Brockton’s tax due date of March 31, 2020 still remains; however the Municipality has decided to waive the penalty and interest charges on the March 31, 2020 and May 29, 2020 tax bill installments until June 2020.

Please review our Property Tax Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) fact sheet for more information.

Property owners are encouraged to consider signing up for one of our convenient pre-authorized payment plans.

Payment of property taxes can be made in several different ways:

• Pre-authorized Payment Plan: Automatic withdrawals from your bank account on the 15th day of each month or automatic withdrawals from your bank account on the four installment due dates.
• Telephone or Internet Banking: Check with your financial institution for set-up, and allow up to 5 business days for processing. (Note: Use your property roll number for your account number and use all 19 digits. If only 15 digits are allowed, leave off the last four zeroes.)
• Mail: Allow up to 5 business days for processing.
• Post-dated cheques can be dropped off at the municipal office or mailed. Send in your tax stubs with your post-dated cheques to ensure payment is applied correctly. Cheque payments can be dropped in the night deposit box located in the front door of the municipal office.

Visit www.Brockton.ca/Payments for more information.

The tax due date and utility bill due date of March 31, 2020 is still in effect. Residents can drop off payment by cheque to the Drop-off Box, or sign up for online payments through their banking institution.

The tax due date and utility bill due date of March 31, 2020 is still in effect. Residents can drop off payment by cheque to the Drop-off Box, or sign up for online payments through their banking institution.

Please review our Utility Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) fact sheet for more information.

Recycling

March 30, 2020 -The Municipality of Brockton has made arrangements for curbside recycling services to resume for all residents as per the usual schedule starting tomorrow (March 31, 2020) (Brant residents Tuesday, Walkerton residents Thursday and Greenock residents Friday) and for the material to be recycled and not landfilled. Staff and Council thank residents for holding on to their recyclables until a safe and responsible solution was found by the Municipality of Brockton. 

The Walkerton Recycling Report (MTO Yard) will be closed to the public, however, cardboard recycling and styrofoam drop-off are still available. 

Landfill Sites

As of March 17, 2020 the Greenock Landfill Site is closed to the public until further notice. 

The Brant Landfill Site is currently still open and will accept transfers from the Greenock Landfill. Increased protocols have been established to protect staff and the public.

We ask that residents please be patient when using the landfill. Thank you for your cooperation.

Regular hours will continue at Brant and Walkerton/Hanover Landfills unless otherwise advised.

Household waste and recycling pickup will also continue as normal.

Bag Tags

Residents can purchase bag tags from the Municipality’s Bag Tag retailers, including Walkerton Foodland, Walkerton Valu-Mart, Cargill Country Variety, Junction 4 & 19, Paisley Freshmart, Towne Convenience, Circle K, and the Brant Landfill Site.

The Brockton Child Care Centre will be closed until further notice.

The Recreation Office is closed to the public until further notice. All outdoor recreational amenities, including playgrounds, sports fields, basketball and tennis courts, picnic areas, outdoor community gardens, park shelters and facilities are also closed until further notice. Greenspaces in parks and trails would remain open for walkthrough access but individuals must maintain the safe physical distance of at least two metres apart from others.

Residents are reminded that the Municipality of Brockton’s recreational facilities and amenities are closed to the public until further notice. Brockton greenspaces, and trails are still open, but residents are asked to maintain physical distancing of 6 feet or 2 meters. Staff continue to inspect municipal parks, properties, and facilities on a regular basis. Residents with concerns of damage, vandalism, or mischief occurring in Brockton’s recreational facilities or amenities are encouraged to notify the Brockton Parks and Recreation Department at 519-881-0625. If residents witness damage, vandalism, or mischief while occurring, they are encouraged to call 911 to notify the O.P.P. The O.P.P. also have an online reporting tool available on their website www.opp.ca which allows residents to report minor occurrences such as theft, mischief to property, lost property and driving complaints that occur in areas policed by the O.P.P. The Municipality of Brockton cares for the health and safety of our community, and encourages residents to stay home, and practice physical distancing throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

All recreational and leisure programs, including private bookings have been postponed until further notice. The Municipality of Brockton will postpone or cancel bookings with refunds based on the preferences of the event organizers.

Event and program cancellations may be extended based on updated information from the Grey Bruce Health Unit and other health agencies about the spread of COVID-19 in Bruce County.

The Municipality of Brockton is asking residents to refrain from having recreational or agricultural fires until April 10, 2020. The municipality has declared a state of emergency. We request residents do their part to reduce the number of calls that our firefighters respond to. This will limit the exposure of our volunteers so they are available for actual emergencies. Contact Brockton's Fire Chief at 519-881-2223 Ext. 300 for any further clarification.

As of March 16, 2020 the Bruce County Public Library Walkerton and Cargill Branches will be closed until further notice.

All events booked through the Municipality of Brockton for the Walkerton Branch of the Bruce County Public Library have also been cancelled from March 14, 2020 until April 5, 2020. The County of Bruce has also cancelled programs held at all Bruce County Public Library branches from March 14, 2020 to April 5, 2020. 

The Municipality of Brockton is committed to the health and wellness of all residents and volunteers and ensuring our staff and Council Members are well to respond to Municipal duties. We are adopting a proactive and cautious approach to responding to the COVID-19 infection.

Although the threat of COVID-19 remains low in Brockton and Bruce County, we are taking proactive measures to limit the spread of viruses and bringing viruses into the Municipality of Brockton workplace. It is important to maintain social distancing to minimize the potential for community transmission of this virus.

As a result, the Municipality of Brockton will be suspending all Committee and Board meetings from March 14, 2020 until April 5, 2020. Staff will continue to work on initiatives already in progress.

Please note that the open meeting provisions in the Municipal Act, 2001 prohibit electronic or conference call meetings as they do not allow for accountability and transparency for the public.

Visit our Business Recovery and Support page for more information on how Brockton Businesses will be supported throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our Economic Development Department has issued several Brockton Business Newsletters related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and its impact on Brockton Businesses:

• Brockton Business Newsletter COVID-19 Update - March 27, 2020
• Brockton Business Newsletter COVID-19 Update - March 20, 2020
• Brockton Businesses and COVID-19 Newsletter - March 17, 2020

Visit our Brockton Business Newsletters page to read all issues of our Business Newsletter.

We encourage business owners to share their feedback on how the impact of COVID-19 is affecting their businesses. Visit our COVID-19 Survey project on Build Your Brockton, and complete the online survey. All responses will be kept confidential.

Take the Business COVID-19 Survey

Support our Local Businesses #InItTogether 

kbdesign, a member of the Walkerton BIA created this wonderful logo highlighting the positive spirit of our downtown merchants.

"Who didn't love a pinwheel as a kid. A simple childhood toy that evokes smiles + happiness and a symbol of brighter days ahead, said designer Kristen Bowman.

The Municipality would like to thank all Brockton businesses and encourage residents to continue shopping local, and supporting our economy through online shopping, delivery, or takeout services. A reminder to view the home delivery services on the COVID-19 Community Information Sheet. #InItTogether #ShopLocal #BrocktonForward #ComeHometoCommunity

Visit our Business Recovery and Support page for more information on how Brockton Businesses will be supported throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Municipality of Brockton has developed a COVID-19 Community Information Sheet providing residents with information on available services, health questions,information available to seniors or people with compromised immune systems, pharmacies, grocery stores, and restaurants offering home delivery or take-out services.

The following Notice of Implemented Proactive Measures have been posted at the Municipal Office.

Individuals can assist in slowing the spread of COVID-19 in the following ways:

• Frequent hand washing
• Refrain from touching face
• Keep a distance of 1-2 metres between people
• Avoid shaking hands
• Stay home if sick and call telehealth to report symptoms
• Avoid crowds and large gatherings
• Minimize all non-essential travel, especially outside of Ontario

It is important to avoid visiting long-term care centres and hospitals unless necessary to help protect those who are most vulnerable.

Province of Ontario Restriction on Gatherings Over Five People

On March 29, 2020, the Province of Ontario restricted gatherings of more than 5 people with a few specific exemptions for funerals, household with more than five people, child care centres supporting health care workers, and necessary gatherings of emergency responders (if under 50 people). The Provincial Order took effect immediately and was made to protect the health and well-being of all Ontarians. The Municipality of Brockton encourages residents to obey the Provincial Order, maintain social distancing and only go out for essential items like food and medical supplies.

Volunteer to help others

A new website, www.thedo.ca, has been launched for volunteers interested in assisting people during the COVID-19 crisis in Grey and Bruce counties. The service is run by the United Way of Grey Bruce. 

On March 17, 2020 the Grey Bruce Public Health Unit issued a Media Release announcing COVID-19 Assessment Centres opening in Grey-Bruce.

Three COVID-19 Assessment Centres will open in the Grey Bruce region this week to help identify and triage patients with symptoms of COVID-19. The Assessment Centres will help expand hospital capacity to assess and screen patients who have symptoms of COVID-19, and free up Emergency Department resources to continue to safely manage the normal volume of patients.

Who should come to the Assessment Centre?

The Assessment Centres are for individuals with symptoms of COVID-19 who are having difficulty managing at home. Please follow these guidelines to determine if you should come.

1. If you do not have symptoms of COVID-19, please do not come to the Assessment Centre.
2. If you have mild symptoms, and you can manage at home, please stay home and self-isolate.  Do not come to the Assessment Centre. Information on self-isolation, as well as guidance for care givers and family members in the home, is available at www.ontario.ca/coronavirus
3. If you have symptoms, and are struggling at home, come to an Assessment Centre.
4. If you are very ill, go to the nearest Emergency Department or call 911. 

Assessment Centre Locations:

1. Grey Bruce Health Services – Owen Sound Regional Hospital
   Location: Portable facility just outside the entrance to the Owen Sound Hospital Emergency Department
   Opening Date: Wednesday, March 18
   Hours of Operation: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM, 7 days per week 
2. South Bruce Grey Health Centre – Kincardine Hospital
   Location: Portable facility located between hospital and medical clinic
   Opening Date: Thursday, March 19
   Hours of Operation: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, 7 days per week 
3. Hanover and District Hospital
   Location: Main entrance to the hospital
   Opening Date: Thursday, March 19
   Hours of Operation: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Monday to Friday 

Appointments are not necessary. Patients will be pre-screened, and will be asked to wash their hands and put on a mask prior to entry. To reduce risk and traffic within the Centres, only those patients who require assistance will be permitted to bring a support person with them into the facilities.

Following screening at the Assessment Centres, patients will be sent home to self-isolate and monitor symptoms, unless the patient is critically ill and requires hospitalization. The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. Most patients experience mild symptoms, and recover fully without treatment within two weeks.  

The Municipality of Brockton will continue to obtain information and updates from the County of Bruce, The Grey Bruce Health Unit, the Province of Ontario and other health agencies and will provide new information to residents when available. 

The following links provide useful information about COVID-19:

• Public Health Ontario https://www.publichealthontario.ca
• Public Health Agency of Canada https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health.html
• Ontario Government https://covid-19.ontario.ca/
• Grey Bruce Public Health Unit https://www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca
• Grey Bruce Health Unit COVID-19 Helpline at 1-800-263-3456 press 3000 (Monday to Friday, 8:30am - 4:30pm).
• Contact Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 for questions specific to an individual health concerns