Cobourg, ON (December 19, 2021) – The Town of Cobourg would like to inform residents that as of Monday, December 20, 2021, the municipality will be returning to booked appointments at all municipal buildings except the Cobourg Community Centre which will be operating under recently announced provincial measures.

Residents can still access Town services via telephone, on-line, or by booking an appointment to meet with staff as needed. These measures are being taken as part of an effort to combat the rapidly spreading COVID-19 Omicron variant.

On December 17, 2021, the Province of Ontario announced further reductions to capacity limits that came into effect at 12:01 a.m. on December 19, 2021, including:

• Limiting indoor gatherings to 10 people (previously set at 25)
• Limiting outdoor gathering limits to 25 people (previously set at 100)
• Capacity limits are most indoor settings including restaurants, bars, personal care services, retailers and shopping malls are set at 50 per cent. This does not apply to a business or space that is used for a wedding, funeral, or religious service.

The announcement comes as Ontario's COVID-19 science table called for immediate and stringent public health measures to combat a growing surge of the Omicron variant that it said could see ICU admissions reach "unsustainable levels" early next year.

In response to the provincial announcement, the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPRDHU) sent a letter to local employers asking them to take additional steps within their businesses. In the past 14 days, there have been 126 cases confirmed within the Health Unit’s region.

“The province reported 3,301 new daily cases of COVID-19 as of today, the most on a single day in seven months and an 88 per cent increase over the same time last week,” said Tracey Vaughan, Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of Cobourg. “This is something we are taking very seriously and on the advice of our local health unit we will be doing everything we can to keep our community and staff safe to address the surge in cases.” 

Municipal Building Closures and Event Cancellations
The Town of Cobourg will be adhering to provincial and local health unit recommendations to put measures into place to help slow the spread of the virus, including the transition to booked appointments or on-line services, and event cancellations: 

• Victoria Hall (55 King Street West)
• Public Works Building #7
• Environmental Services Plants 1 and 2
• Cobourg Fire Hall (1111 Elgin Street East)
• Venture13 Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre (739 D’Arcy Street) 

The Cobourg Community Centre will remain open for scheduled programming and will no longer be allowing food or drink into the establishment. Patrons are advised that the community centre could encounter more programming and event cancellations in adherence to further provincial and local health unit recommendations.

Access to Public Washrooms
Residents in need of washroom facilities can access the public washrooms located within the lobby of the Cobourg Police Service at 107 King Street West, open daily from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m.

The following Town events will also be cancelled:

• Mayor’s Skate at the Cobourg Community Centre (scheduled for December 28, 2021)
• Mayor’s New Year’s Levee (scheduled for January 1, 2021)
• First Night New Year’s Celebrations (scheduled for December 31, 2021) 

“We are also moving most of our workforce, where possible, to work remotely in order for us to limit onsite interactions to further slow down any possibility of virus transmission and ensure business continuity,” stated Tracey Vaughan. “Our business operations will continue safely, and residents will still be able to access all Town services through the use of email, telephone and booking meetings with staff as needed to access service.” 

Residents are directed to contact the department with which they need to do business by telephone or email as many services can be handled remotely. The telephone numbers and emails for all Town of Cobourg departments can be found on the Town’s website at www.cobourg.ca.

For a complete list of programs and services that are being postponed or cancelled please visit our COVID-19 Program and Service Updates webpage.

Additional Resources

• Read the Province of Ontario’s press release Ontario Taking Action to Protect Against Omicron Variant
• Visit Ontario’s website to learn more about how the province continues to protect the people of Ontario from COVID-19.
• Visit the Town of Cobourg’s dedicated COVID-19 Program and Service Updates webpage.
• Visit the HKPR District Health Unit’s website for regional public health guidelines.